Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

Gun Crazy in the Senate

On Wednesday, the Senate is expected to vote on the latest assault on public safety in the name of gun ownership. Introduced as an amendment to the military�s budget bill by Senator John Thune, a Republican of South Dakota, this radical measure would nullify the laws of almost every state, subjecting police officers to greater risk and increasing the potential for gun violence.

Nearly all states issue licenses to carry concealed firearms, but the criteria for granting such permits vary widely, and it is now, sensibly, up to each state to decide whether to accept another state�s permits.

At least 35 states prevent people from carrying concealed weapons if they have certain misdemeanor convictions. At least 31 states prohibit alcohol abusers from obtaining a concealed carry permit and require gun safety training. The Thune amendment would force states with more restrictive standards to accept concealed carry permits from states with less stringent rules � in effect giving the lax rules national reach.

Passage of the amendment would make it much harder for law enforcement to distinguish between legal and illegal possession of a firearm. It would be a boon for illegal gun traffickers, making it easier to transport weapons across state lines without being caught.

Proponents of Senator Thune�s attempt to create the equivalent of a national concealed carry system claim it would reduce crime. But the evidence shows otherwise. Between May 2007 and April 2009, people holding concealed handgun permits killed at least seven police officers and 44 private citizens, according to a new study by the Violence Policy Center, a gun control advocacy organization. Other examples of crimes committed by concealed-carry licensees are plentiful.

For Alaska to permit residents who have committed repeated violent misdemeanors or who have committed misdemeanor sex offenses against minors to carry a concealed weapon is terrible public policy. For the Senate to extend that permit to 47 other states would be the height of irresponsibility, as well as a breathtaking violation of legitimate states� rights.

Senators Charles Schumer of New York and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, both Democrats, are leading the fight in the Senate to defeat the Thune amendment. We fervently hope they succeed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/opinion/21tue2.html

:smile:

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

If Sheeny and Lautenberg are against it, it must be good.

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

Seven police officers in two years, killed by how many CCW holders? Millions? And it doesn't say if any of those seven were killed by the same person, which would further lower the percentage. Still, I'd like to see specifics. Like that guy in Pittsburg - was he a CCW holder?

As for the 44 "citizens" killed by CCW holders, I wonder how many were shot while in the gun owner's home holding a gun, knife, baseball bat, etc., during the commission of a burglary or other crime.

Anything that comes out of the Violence Policy Center, which is just an arm of the Brady bunch, should be scrutinized carefully. Same with anything that comes out of the whore mouths of Chuckie Schummer and Lautenberg....

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

I agree, the Violence Policy Center has been caught making up stats before, they also skew numbers in the favor of anti gun groups. It is a proven fact that states with CCW have lower crime rates than state without or with extremely limited CCWs. Not all state have the same requirements for getting a drivers license...does this mean states shouldn't honor Driver's Licenses from other states?

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

Does this mean that a permit from Vermont would be all you need to carry in any other state?



Sorry, that's kind of a trick question.

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

send these idiots to remedial reading to learn what "infringe" means. when they indict cheney,bush, throw out the current pretender, and dismantle the fed, they will have my suport.

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

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Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

How can anyone get excited about a privilege granted by govt?

Re: Gun Crazy in the Senate
 

There is so much wrong with that piece, that I do not even know what to say.