Trump plan calls for nationwide concealed carry and an end to gun bans

In the second of two major policy papers released online, Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump is calling for an end to gun bans and the institution of nationwide concealed carry permits.

"The Second Amendment to our constitution is clear," Trump said. "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon — period.

"The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn't create that right – it ensures that the government can't take it away."

Trump issued a policy paper on immigration in August. His Second Amendment policy paper outlines proposals under three main categories:

Enforcing existing laws – Trump said the Obama administration's record on prosecuting violent criminals "is abysmal" and his administration would pursue stiffer penalties for criminals who misuse guns. He also advocates for expansion of concealed carry permits.

"Law enforcement is great, they do a tremendous job, but they can't be everywhere all of the time. Our personal protection is ultimately up to us. That's why I'm a gun owner, that's why I have a concealed carry permit, and that's why tens of millions of Americans have concealed carry permits as well. It's just common sense," he said.

Overhaul of mental health system – Trump has previously tied mental health reforms to gun control issues and he reiterates that idea here.

"All of the tragic mass murders that occurred in the past several years have something in common – there were red flags that were ignored. We can't allow that to continue," he said.

His plan would expand treatment programs and increased efforts to get violent offenders off the street.

Defending gun rights – Trump's most detailed plans falls under the heading of defending gun rights. He said gun and magazine bans have been a "total failure" and any expansion of background checks would only affect law-abiding firearm owners. Military personnel should also be allowed to carry weapons on base and recruiting centers, he said, something that's currently prohibited under Pentagon policies.

Trump said concealed carry permits, currently issued by states, should be expanded nationwide.

"A driver's license works in every state, so it's common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege," he said.

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