Senate to consider proposal Monday
By Jeremy Fugleberg, Journal staff | Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sen. John Thune has proposed legislation that would allow a gun owner with a concealed weapon permit to carry that weapon into other states that offer such permits.
“South Dakota is one of many states with reasonable measures in place allowing citizens to protect themselves with concealed weapons,” the South Dakota Republican said in an e-mailed statement. “Law-abiding South Dakotans should be able to exercise the right to bear arms in states with similar regulations on concealed firearms. My legislation enables citizens to protect themselves while respecting individual state firearms laws.”
The legislation is attached to a major defense appropriation bill now before the Democrat-controlled Senate, which will consider Thune’s amendment on Monday.
A number of gun control advocacy groups issued a joint statement Friday condemning the Thune amendment. Opponents – the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, and Violence Policy Center – said they worried the proposal would “dramatically weaken” state concealed weapons laws.
“Concealed carry laws do not, as their proponents argue, aid police and enhance public safety. Instead, they threaten law enforcement and arm criminals,” the organizations said in the statement. “States should be acting to repeal these laws instead of Congress moving to expand their deadly reach.”
Currently 48 states can provide concealed weapon permits. Wisconsin and Illinois do not. Nineteen states recognize South Dakota concealed carry permits. South Dakota already honors permits given by any state that offers them.
Thune’s amendment has four co-sponsors: Republican’s Mike Enzi and John Barrassso of Wyoming, Oklahoma’s Tom Coburn and Louisiana’s David Vitter.
Thune previously introduced a separate bill with similar language to the amendment. That bill has 22 co-sponsors, including one Democrat.
By Jeremy Fugleberg, Journal staff | Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sen. John Thune has proposed legislation that would allow a gun owner with a concealed weapon permit to carry that weapon into other states that offer such permits.
“South Dakota is one of many states with reasonable measures in place allowing citizens to protect themselves with concealed weapons,” the South Dakota Republican said in an e-mailed statement. “Law-abiding South Dakotans should be able to exercise the right to bear arms in states with similar regulations on concealed firearms. My legislation enables citizens to protect themselves while respecting individual state firearms laws.”
The legislation is attached to a major defense appropriation bill now before the Democrat-controlled Senate, which will consider Thune’s amendment on Monday.
A number of gun control advocacy groups issued a joint statement Friday condemning the Thune amendment. Opponents – the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, and Violence Policy Center – said they worried the proposal would “dramatically weaken” state concealed weapons laws.
“Concealed carry laws do not, as their proponents argue, aid police and enhance public safety. Instead, they threaten law enforcement and arm criminals,” the organizations said in the statement. “States should be acting to repeal these laws instead of Congress moving to expand their deadly reach.”
Currently 48 states can provide concealed weapon permits. Wisconsin and Illinois do not. Nineteen states recognize South Dakota concealed carry permits. South Dakota already honors permits given by any state that offers them.
Thune’s amendment has four co-sponsors: Republican’s Mike Enzi and John Barrassso of Wyoming, Oklahoma’s Tom Coburn and Louisiana’s David Vitter.
Thune previously introduced a separate bill with similar language to the amendment. That bill has 22 co-sponsors, including one Democrat.