WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2009)– The Gun Owners of America reported last week that Senators John Thune and David Vitter have sponsored S. 845, a bill that will establish concealed carry reciprocity in several states.
Senators Thune and Vitter offered the bill as an amendment (#1618) to the Department of Defense authorization bill (H.R. 2647).
This provision will use the constitutional authority (Article IV) allowing Congress to enforce “full faith and credit” across the country, so that each state respects the “public acts, records, and judicial proceedings” of every other state.
The Thune/Vitter legislation would protect the right of any U.S. citizen to carry out of state (regardless of whether he possesses a permit), as long as he is authorized to carry in his home state. This is important because of states like Vermont and Alaska, where residents can carry concealed without prior approval or permission from the state.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the measure on Monday evening, July 20.
Predictably, gun-confiscation groups reacted against the amendment.
“We urge Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to issue a clear statement to their constituents and colleagues that ‘Enough is Enough’ by voting NO on this amendment and filibustering it if necessary. This dangerous legislation contains provisions that eviscerate New York’s ability to properly protect its citizens and puts children, families and law enforcement at grave risk from encounters with armed individuals from out of state who carry deadly firearms in public,” said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of NYAGV. “New Yorkers were horrified when the gun lobby enacted an amendment to the credit card reform legislation and permitted the carrying of concealed weapons in our National Parks. This amendment is a completely unrelated and radical gun lobby amendment, and it must be stopped for the sake of the country’s public safety.”
