H.3419 would make the offense of unlawfully carrying a handgun a felony with a potential penalty of a $10,000 fine and 10 years in prison. Under current law unlawful carrying of a handgun is only a misdemeanor offense with a maximum punishment of a $1,000 fine and 1 year in prison. Carrying a firearm is a right guaranteed by our federal constitution, and even where it is made illegal it is a victimless crime. Lawmakers should be working to restore citizens’ constitutional rights, not to trample on them further.
(Related H.3411)