Survey Shows Police Support General Recognition of State Issued CCW Permits, reports Gun Law Expert

“One of the legislative items most sought by America’s 100 million law-abiding firearm owners is universal acceptance of permits to carry concealed firearms issued by a state,” says gun rights expert John M. Snyder.

“Gun owners believe that if a citizen has a permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by a state he or she should be able to carry that gun in any state,” adds Snyder, Public Affairs Director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

“Now we know that police, too, support this concept,” he adds.

Snyder says that, “national reciprocity for holders of permits to carry concealed firearms issued by states enjoys the support of over three-quarters of law enforcement command officers in the United States.

“This is evident from a recent survey of opinions of American chiefs of police and sheriffs.”

A former National Rifle Association magazine editor, Snyder states “the finding supports the program in Washington, D.C. of Senators and Representatives who promote national concealed carry reciprocity legislation.

“It undercuts the agenda of Senators and Representatives who work to undermine such legislation.”

The 2010 postal opinion survey is the 22nd such annual survey conducted by the National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACOP). Snyder serves on the NACOP board.

When the officers were asked if general recognition throughout the states of ccw permits issued by a state, in the way drivers’ licenses are recognized throughout the country, would facilitate the violent crime-fighting potential of the professional law enforcement community, 77 percent said yes.

“The survey upends the propaganda of anti-gun organizations and individuals that gun rights and police interests are not compatible,” says Snyder, also a board member of the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens.

“In fact,” he believes, “the very opposite is the case. The survey shows that over 70 percent of the chiefs and sheriffs think that qualified, law-abiding armed citizens can be of assistance to the professional law enforcement community in promoting justice and reducing the incidence of violent criminal activity.-[source]