Man, I hope they can pass this bill. Would be a great stride ahead for Carry Advocates.
Senate takes up concealed weapons measure
By JIM ABRAMS (AP) 16 hours ago
WASHINGTON A measure taken up by the Senate Monday would give people the right to carry concealed weapons across state lines as long as they obey the concealed gun laws of the state they are visiting.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said his proposal would reduce crime by providing reciprocity to carry concealed firearms. "My legislation enables citizens to protect themselves while respecting individual state firearms laws," he said.
Thune's bill was offered as an amendment to a $680 billion defense spending policy bill and has further slowed completion of that must-pass legislation. A vote was scheduled for Wednesday, with 60 votes needed for approval.
Debate on defense issues, including a controversy over whether the Pentagon should buy more F-22 fighter jets, was already delayed by time spent on a measure to expand federal hate crimes law. Under that proposal, hate crimes would also cover acts of violence based on the gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of the victim.
Thune's bill, supported by the National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups, would allow people with concealed weapons privileges in one state to transfer that right to other states, contingent on their following the laws of those other states. Many state gun laws specify locations where concealed weapons can, or cannot, be carried.
It does not, Thune said, provide for a national carry permit and would not permit the concealing of weapons in the two states Wisconsin and Illinois that do not allow the practice.
Gun control advocate Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the amendment "could endanger the safety of millions of Americans."
He said in a statement that "to gut the ability of individual states to determine who should be able to carry a concealed weapon makes no sense," he said.
Although states make the laws on guns, local law enforcement has broad discretion over who receives a permit to carry concealed weapons.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence noted that gun owners in states such as Georgia, Mississippi or South Dakota that require no training to obtain a concealed gun permit would be able to carry hidden guns to states that have training requirements. States that ban gun possession by people who have committed violent or child sex abuse crimes might have to accept the permits of those from states without those restrictions, it said.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
. I have cut some nice watermelons,went through the farmers market the other day and drove through the melon shed. 15 or 20 truckloads of melons and they were hawkin em like crackrocks on Moreland Av in ATL.
Horton, control your gimp mang.