Concealed Gun Amendment Fails In Close Vote

The U.S. Senate voted 58-39 to reject an amendment "allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state." The AP adds, "Opponents prevailed in their argument that the measure violated states rights by forcing states with stringent requirements for permits to recognize concealed weapons carriers from states that give out permits to almost any gun owner." Senator Chuck Schumer, who along with fellow NY Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand voted against the amendment, said, "This was a narrow escape. We just breathe a sigh of relief that we've kept to the principle of trying to keep America safer." Politico notes that essentially all the pro-gun Democrats voted for the bill and two Republicans—George Voinovich of Ohio and Dick Lugar of Indiana—voted against it; plus, "In some ways, this is also a victory of sorts for Majority Leader Harry Reid, who was able to make a pro-gun vote to please the 2010 voters in Nevada without really facing any consequences in terms of actual policy." You can see the geographic and party breakdown of the vote here.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 22, 2009 3:50 PM

Comments [rss]

Think2wice

Up next: a bill allowing concealed sniper rifles with laser targeting mount, night-vision lens, and silencer attachment to be allowed in grade schools.

sarcasm: off

What the fuck kind of uptight pistol packing fucktards with fucked up priorities want to allow these outrageous weapons to be in the hands of other fucktards.

Rocknrope

*Raises hand.*

dadoc

Not anti-gun or scared of guns; States Rights issue, pretty clear. Non-passage will have no impact on locality crime stats.

Jen S

:P

jaycjay

Remember when "states' rights" was a conservative principle?

Well, I guess actually it still is... sometimes, depending on the specific issue.

meechybee

I was totally confused when this issue came up at Sotomayor's hearing. The Repubs seem to argue that no local law can trump the constitutional right to carry a firearm. Which sounds good, except that in practice, it would allow gun-owners to carry their firearms anywhere -- including schools, hospitals, airplanes, etc. -- even Capitol Hill. Under this thinking, private space and private / public security can not bar guns, ever.

Matt Joyce

So every other state in the US continues to have reciprocal carry and conceal, except new york.

Way to go NY. Obstinately protesting being a part of America since 1776. Freaking fascists.