Letter to Chairman Goodlatte - Hearing on Gun Legislation

Letter

This afternoon, U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman sent a letter to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), requesting a hearing on H.R. 578, the Respecting States' Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2013. Last week, the Senate came within three votes of passing identical legislation in the form of an amendment filed by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

The entirety of the letter is included below:

Chairman Goodlatte:

I write to respectfully request a hearing on H.R. 578, the Respecting States' Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2013, legislation which I introduced at the beginning of the 113th Congress and is supported by a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate.

Last week, the Senate voted against unconstitutional gun controls and came within three votes of passing an amendment introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to streamline concealed carry laws, eliminate law enforcement confusion, and strengthen protections for responsible gun owners. Even as the Senate remained deeply divided on background checks, bipartisan concealed carry legislation fell three votes short of passing the Senate's procedural 60 vote hurdle.

Of all the recent proposals, concealed carry legislation stands the best chance of breaking Washington's gridlock and offers the House of Representatives an opportunity to resume a constructive dialogue. My legislation would guarantee that law-abiding gun owners who legally carry a concealed weapon in their home state may do so in any other state that also allows concealed carry.

As Congress works through regular-order, I ask that the House Judiciary Committee consider the common-sense proposal with the strongest record of bipartisan support.

Sincerely,
Marlin Stutzman

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