Robert Woolley wrote:
To the best of my knowledge, there are now 18 states that have all three of
the following:
1) Shall-issue laws (or practices)
2) Broad state preemption of local governments' authority over firearms
3) No statutory prohibition on permit holders carrying pistols in most
governmental buildings.
The states are Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota,
New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
Texas added #2 this year (in the context of CHL), and it only became
effective on 9/1/2003.
Some of the cities are still pushing the envelope (or breaking through
it altogether), but as far as I know there have been no specific
challenges in court.
Unfortunately, a change was made late in the process that reduced the
preemption to a "defense to prosecution", which means a CHL holder can
still be arrested and charged for an offense. I expect at least one
city to take advantage of this loophole, but I haven't heard of any
specific incidents.
Shortly after the change (but before the bill was enacted), I expressed
my concern to the author of the bill, but was informed that it was
necessary to get the requisite votes in the Texas Senate.
