Prospects for Constitutional Carry in 2022

 At the start of 2021 there were 16 members of the Constituional Carry club in the United States of America. They were: 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Vermont
  
• West Virginia
• Wyoming
  

2021 was a record year for Constitutional Carry. In 2021, five states joined the Constitutional Carry club, increasing membership from 16 to 21. The last and largest state to join the club was Texas. The four other states to join the club in 2021 were Tennessee, Iowa, Montana, and Utah.

Several other states are working to pass Constitutional Carry bills. Here are states and possibilities for Constitutional Carry in 2022.

 The first in line, with bills which have passed both the House and the Senate, is Ohio. The bills in Ohio have differences, which need to be worked out. Ohio governor Mike DeWine has been silent on Constitutional Carry. He may or may not sign a bill if one is sent to him. If he vetoes a bill, there may be enough votes in the Ohio legislature to override the veto. We should have more information on what is happening in Ohio by the end of January, 2022.

Pennsylvania passed a Constitutional Carry bill through the legislature and sent it to Democrat Governor Tom Wolf. Governor Wolf vetoed the bill. Wolf is up for election in the mid-term elections in 2022. If a Republican is elected to governor in 2022, Constitutional Carry could pass in 2023. Expect Constitutional carry to be an issue in the Governor's race.

Indiana passed a version of Constitutional Carry in the House by 64 to 31 in 2021. The Senate Republican leadership killed the bill in the Senate Judiciary committee. Indiana appears to have sufficient votes to pass the bill, if the Republican leadership sees the wisdom of getting behind it. Indiana is a strong contender for passing Constitutional Carry in 2022.

Alabama has a very good chance of passing Constitutional Carry in 2022. There have been several attempts to pass Constitutional Carry in recent years.  Alabama has the highest level of concealed carry permits of any state. 32% of adults in Alabama have concealed carry permits.  In Alabama, the Sheriff's Association is the major stumbling block to Constitutional Carry. Sheriff's in Alabama collect the fees for Concealed Carry permits, and have a strong financial incentive to oppose Constitutional or permitless carry.  Alabama has a good chance of passing Constitutional Carry in 2021. 

Louisiana passed a Constitutional Carry bill in 2021, and sent it to Governor John Bel Edwards, who vetoed the bill. The bill passed both the House and Senate with veto proof majorities. It appears Governor Edwards was able to offer enough favors to change votes and sustain his veto.  Efforts to pass Constitutional Carry continue in Louisiana, but Governor Edwards is not up for re-election, he is term limited.  Louisiana has a "jungle" primary, where all candidates are listed, and anyone can vote for any candidate. Governor Edwards will be gone in 2023.

Florida has long struggled to pass open carry for the state. However, in 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis briefly indicated support for a Constitutional Carry bill. A bill will be introduced by Representative Anthoni Sabatini. There is significant support for it in the Florida legislature. However, there are Republicans who have not been supportive. House Speaker Chris Sprowls could be a problem. Senate Majority leader Debbie Mayfield has said she would support the legislation. 

Nebraska has a strong advocate for Constitutional Carry in Senator Tom Brewer. He will be introducing a bill. Governor Pete Ricketts has said he would sign a Constituional Carry bill. Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature. It only has one house. Members of the Nebraska legislature leadership do not seem to but a high priority on Second Amendment rights. Senator Brewer claims he has the votes to pass the bill. He may not have the influence to bring the bill up for a vote. 

Wisconsin will likely be voting on a Constitutional Carry bill. If they do so, it has a good chance of passage. Democrat governor Evers is almost certain to veto it.  Governor Evers, if he chooses to run, will be up for re-election in 2022. 

Georgia has had several attempts to pass Constitutional Carry, with little success. The race for governor in 2022 has changed that dynamic. Two Republican candidates are now championing Constitutional Carry in their campaigns. Governor Brian Kemp and candidate David Purdue say they are in favor of Constitutional Carry legislation. 

 South Carolina has strong supporters for Constitutional Carry. Now that permitted open carry has passed, expect action on passing Constitutional Carry in 2022.

While the nation is more than 10 months from the mid-term elections in 2022, early indicators favor Republicans. Ten months is a very long time in politics.  If Republicans are able to prevent the Democrats from rigging all future national elections in their favor with passage of the Democrat election bill this session, they have a serious possibility of upsetting Leftist political power.  That would translate into stronger majorities in Republican legislatures.

If that happens, this correspondent expects 2 - 4 more states to join the Constitutional Carry club in 2022. Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama are the most likely at this time.

Constitutional Carry sends a strong signal to Supreme Court justices who are expected to be ruling on the NYR&PA case (carry outside the home) by the end of June in 2022. 

 ©2021 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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