Lautenberg and McCarthy Blast House Passage of Concealed Carry Legislation

Press Release

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-4) today blasted the House for passing legislation that would allow gun owners to carry a concealed firearm across state lines, even if they weren't issued a permit by the state they are visiting.

"This bill is an egregious threat to families, communities and law enforcement in New Jersey and all across the country. This bill is beyond the pale -- even for the gun lobby," Senator Lautenberg said. "The House has voted to make it easier for dangerous and unstable individuals to carry concealed weapons. We need common sense gun laws that prevent violence, and I pledge to fight this bill in the Senate and urge President Obama to threaten a veto of this dangerous measure."

"This bill is a gross violation of both states' rights and public safety, as well as a gratuitous gift to the powerful gun lobby when states already have the option to do what this bill mandates," Rep. McCarthy said "With the White House getting shot at with an assault weapon and the nation demanding that Congress focus on creating jobs and helping the economy, the last thing we need right now is another gun proliferation bill, which does nothing to protect American citizens or help them pay their bills. I hope that more rational heads will prevail in the U.S. Senate, or in the White House where Senator Lautenberg and I have asked President Obama to issue a veto threat to this unnecessary and dangerous bill."

The House bill would allow anyone who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon in one state to carry a concealed weapon in other states, even if the individual would be ineligible for a permit in the state in which he or she is carrying

In 2009, Senator Lautenberg led the fight in the Senate to defeat a similar amendment proposed by Senator John Thune (R-ND) that would have allowed people, including criminals and mentally ill individuals, to carry concealed weapons across state lines into states that otherwise would have prohibited that person from carrying a concealed weapon.

Last week, Senator Lautenberg and Congresswoman McCarthy began to fight back against this bill by calling on President Obama toissue a veto threat of this legislation.

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