American Morning
Allow concealed weapons across state lines?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/22/thune.john.getty.art.jpg caption="Sen. John Thune (R-SD) listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill February 26, 2009 in Washington, DC."]
The Senate is poised to vote Wednesday on its third piece of gun rights legislation this year – and gun control advocates are racing to shore up any wavering Democrats who might join Republicans in supporting the measure.
The Republican-sponsored Thune Amendment, attached to the Defense Authorization Bill, would allow individuals to carry concealed firearms anywhere in the United States that permits carrying concealed weapons, provided they are legally registered.
Colin Goddard is lobbying against the amendment, sponsored by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), that would allow people to carry concealed firearms into other states, so long as they "...have concealed carry permits from the state in which they reside."
Goddard is not a typical lobbyist; he is a survivor – a student at Virginia Tech the day Seung-Hui Cho burst into his classroom and opened fire. Goddard was shot four times. Thirty-two other students died before Cho killed himself.
Now, Goddard is in Washington to tell lawmakers that even if he'd had a gun he could not have stopped Seung-Hui Cho.
"When I smelled that gunpowder, that's when I knew what was happening," Goddard recounted. "I knew there were other students in my class who were sitting in their chairs to be able to effectively respond to someone coming in a door like that guns blazing you need millisecond response time. Even trained police officers can't do that," he says.
He argues the proposed law would make it easier for unbalanced people to carry guns anywhere they choose, including states with more stringent concealed gun laws. And he isn't the only critic. Mayors from 450 cities took out an ad in USA Today urging the Senate to vote down the amendment.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an Independent, is fiercely opposed to the measure. "What it would do is put an enormous number of guns on the streets and it takes away states' rights," he says.
But The National Rifle Association says carrying a gun is a constitutional right, as well as a matter of personal safety.
"At the scene of the crime, there are only two people there, the criminal and the victim," says NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. "The victim always ought to have a right to own a firearm and have a firearm to protect themselves if they choose."
Case in point: last year, a bank customer, legally carrying a concealed weapon near Detroit, thwarted a bank robber who claimed to have a bomb. But gun control proponents say for every hero, there are many villains. Like Richard Poplawski – who legally owned guns and used them to kill three Pittsburgh police officers. And Seung Hui Cho – who bought guns legally and killed 32 others at Virginia Tech.
What do you think? Should concealed weapons be allowed across state lines?
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I think anyone who has a permit to carry a gun should. Look at it this way if you are in a situation that means your life could end, but there is just a remote chance that if you have a weapon to protect yourself that you will live I think any normal human at that moment would want to try and live. Lets face it a female woman is kidnapped taken out to some woods to be raped and killed at gun point. I think at that moment if she had a weapon she would use it. Cops cannot always be there and we see this most of the time. Put yourself in life or death situation then evaluate out gun laws.
How many people have been killed "by law abiding citizens with guns"? Mistakes happen, missundertandings happen, people get angry and pull out guns, all this just in case they get attacked? Really? Obviously these people are insane insisting on their right to carry guns. How about an IQ test before gun permits are issued? I bet you 75% of people with permists would be excluded from owning guns just based on IQ tests.
Every state honors the other state's drivers license, yet certain states do not honor the other states conceal wepons carry permit (license) holder rights to legally bear their protection (weapon) into which ever state they are visiting. LOOK on your State Drivers license, NO WHERE DOES IT SAY: valid in all 50 states. Who is violating the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Who, NY Mayor Bloomberg, (like him, many were sworn to uphold it) they are interpreting the US Constitution as flexible law, meaning; they have the power to influence others in changing the US Constitution to suite their personal beliefs. We the people are in danger if elected officials are allowed to believe they can change the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
First of all let's be very clear. With the exception of detectives and special units most Police officers do nothing more than write tickets, take reports, and keep certain classes of citizens in line. They have no real ability to protect the average citizen from violence and only can write up the report after the incident has already happened.
I am totally in support of this bill. When my family and I drove across country for vacation on this beautiful country's open highways I had to make a decision to either follow the law or be able to defend myself and my family if necessary. Let's just say it was an easy decision. Unfortunately this restriction caused an otherwise law abiding citizen to break the law. We all no criminals break the law anyway and get guns regardless of any gun control measures put in place – ask England...One note during our trip it didn't seem like police were waiting to protect us or make sure we got to our destination safe it seemed like they were too busy running speed traps and writing tickets.
I've Got The Answer!!!! Let's compromise! Democrats, let the conservatives conceal handguns legally everywhere. Republicans, let the progressives conceal marijuana legally everywhere. Man... That was simple.
This topic has been debated many times with no true solution at the end, but just differences in opinions and beliefs. The interpretation of the 2nd amendment will always also be a mystery as to what it truly means, as the differences on interpretation will exist as well. I personally think and feel that I should be able to carry and buy a gun when ever I want. I am not a felon and do not have any misdemeanors. People should be able to protect their family and themselves at all times, especially since guns are easily available to criminals. I live in NYC and hear it is extremely difficult for some men/woman with clean records. The reason is the cost with app costing$350 and fingerprinting $100. Luckily i am blessed in this life, but for many they will be prey for the delinquent hunter. A good Law obeying citizen should have the right to protect themselves and their family at all times with no hassle. The government needs to stop thinking that they know what is best for people on all issues. Overall, good law obeying people should be able to have a gun and not have to pay any high fees for the application $20 the most or be declined of one. If your a felon I do feel you should get interrogated and than make a decision from there. No, good citizen should ever be denied of owning a gun! It should not only be a right to those of power and wealth, but for all good citizens of America. Safety courses are a big plus as well to lower/prevent accidents from happening. People of America need it's citizens to be gun savvy as it may need them on the front lines to protect her from enemy invaders, but most importantly people need to be able to protect themselves and their loved ones!
Criminals will have guns no matter the law. Hence the definition of a criminal. People like myself who take the classes, preach gun safety and respect the laws are the ones who this law will affect. Bloomberg stated the it would be easier for gun trafficers to take the across state lines and there would be nothing they could do. Well, illegal is still illegal under new laws and those without a license to sell would still violate the laws and can be arrested. The VT student was not a licensed carrier. He was not concerned about the law.
Jim,
Knoxville, TN
What most people fail to realize is few crimes are committed with registered handguns. It is the criminals with unregistered guns that we need to watch out for. Those criminals already carry across state lines. How about doing something that makes sense. PUNISH the criminals who use guns and leave the law abiding citizens alone. It is a shame the media is so anti-gun that it will not report the facts about gun crimes. Instead they distort the truth or bend it to meet their agenda. The fact of the matter is that states with the strictest gun control laws have the highest crime rates. After all, the criminals are only brave because they have the advantage of being armed. Even that out and they scurry away to the places they know they can rob the defenseless.
every american citizen schould be able to carry across state lines we have been made to feel like crimminals . when we do carry with lots of different rules and regulations per state it schould be uniform stop treating us like children .
It is insane to have conceal carry in any state let alone to allow to carry across state lines.1.) Not enough people are trained on the use of a weapon. 2.) Mental health obviously is not a reason to deny a gun permit because of the "NRA" pontificating of their rights. The Paducah teenager who killed his schoolmates was a card carrying member of the NRA. With this in mind why for god sake do we need carrying at all!!
The governor of New York must wake up and take his head out of the
sand. with all his tight gun Laws every year thousands of Law abiding
citizens are injured or Kill by criminals with Guns , because the police cannot be everywhere to protect them. Allowing conceal
weapon holder to carry their guns across state lines will result in less
law abiding citizens turning into vicitims. Please give then the means to protect themself when there is no Police.
i live in vt .we have very low crime rate because of our right to keep and bear arms .if you take our guns ,only the bad guys will have them.nice .ny and mass have sticktest gun laws and have way more prolems then us.legitamate gun owners should be able to have thier guns no matter where they are
I found it interesting in the coverage of this issue how much time the CNN reporter Mayor Bloomberg to cite his position compared to his opposition. It is obvious how un-biased CNN is.
A few years ago when Michigan eased its ccw requirements there was fear of wild west shoot outs on the streets, it hasn't increased gun crimes one iota.
I love how people try to attach their gay marriage agenda to the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution. The founding fathers obviously saw no need to protect the sanctity of marriage in the Bill of Rights because, well, it doesn't matter as much as protecting a life. I certaintly hope even the gays would support self defense and protecting that which is most important; not marriage...a life. Apparently the founding fathers thought gun rights were important enough to list it as number TWO over number NINE in the bill of Rights. The ninth amendment protects states' rights; the second amendment protects the right to bear arms. There is no RIGHT to marriage...even for gays. Get over yourself. A life is a life...no matter who you sleep with or love. 🙂
There should be a limit on what age a person is like alcahol 21 years old to carry a fire arm or to own one but but it should also be ok if there with an adult going hunting.
I saw the Mayor's interview. I was extremely offended by his use of police officers as the reason for opposing this. I am a 22 year veteran, I have been in three shootings and I was never shot at by anyone with a CCW permit. All the people who shot at me were legally already supposed to be unable to possess a gun....I don't mind taking a closer look at this but don't use us as an excuse to oppose this Mayor. A better approach would be to use this to tighten restrictions and institute an annual review of CCW permits with broader input from law enforcement for who can get one and who cannot or establish a national CCW program.
Where does it say on your State driver's license that it is valid in all 50 states? Where does it say on your marriage license valid in all 50 states? Where does it state same sex marriage is not valid in all 50 states? Where does it say NY Mayor Bloomberg is upholding the US Constitution, for whom? Just his state? Who is in charge of the US Bill of Rights, we the people are, the right to keep (retain possession) and bear (carry) Arms. As a 54 year old male, who has never infringed on anyone's rights, never violated ANY state's laws, believes there are those people (with titles) in great power who have violated the US Constitution by interpreting the Bill of Rights as flexible law, when in fact it is RIGID LAW and can not be changed to suite people in great power, such as NY mayor Bloomberg or NY Senator Schumacher belief it would cause them personal harm. Would a valid conceal weapons permit holder cause them personal harm if allow to carry THEIR personal protection in their state? Who is violating the people's rights to legally bear arm arms? Again, where does it say on your State's driver licenses valid in all 50 states?
I know real criminals, you people will never understand how they think, also you will never be able to disarm them. This is just a fact of life, that being said, live life at your own risk then. If you have been brainwashed to believe all these idiot anti gun politicians whom most of have never even worked in the private sector or served in the military, or completed an honest day's labor in their life, GOOD LUCK to you. Anybody interested in this subject, I urge you to review DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 7277, released september 1961, read it through, their dream is to disarm the entire population, regard for our constitution in the united states is the only thing standing in the way of these creeps from runnig the globe with a ridiculously authoritarian world government. WAKE UP!
If this is one nation then yes concealed carry should be allowed across state lines. If this is fifty nations then no. This should also apply to drivers license.
We need this legislation. to pass
law abiding citizens who have passed FBI background checks and have concealed carry permits should be able to drive across state lines without worry and be able to be self protected.
It never ceases to amaze me, the excuses the gun nuts use to make sure the country is proliferated with guns. In Canada where it is extremely difficult to get a concealed gun permit, the crime is much lower than in the USA. So the gun nut argument of self defense holds no water. Isn't it ironic that in the USA if you smoke a joint you are labeled a criminal and have most of your rights taken away. The gun lobby which is part of the millitary industrial complex has complete control over the country, while the people die as money is diverted from saving lives to weapons of war designed to take lives. Can you say stupid hypocrites?
Gun Haters – please do us a favor and put a sign in your yard "I dont own guns". That way the criminals will now where to go.
Mayor Bloomberg doesn’t have a clue about gun control. He mentions incidents in which school shootings have taken place and apparently thinks gun control will stop these. He also uses the death of peace officers to push his propaganda. I can tell you that as a peace officer in the State of Oregon, we support our citizen’s rights to carry concealed. It is my hope that if we have unfortunate incidents in which some dirtbag goes off with a gun, a person with a concealed weapon can stop the individual BEFORE he kills or at least limits the amount of deaths. Mayor Bloomberg apparently didn’t hear about the mall shooting in Washington State in which a person carrying a concealed weapon shot a dirtbag that would have probably killed many people.
Absolutely NOT, just another poorly thought out or not thought out position of the NRA. Just ask any mayor or police chief of a major city.
Republicans! Republicans!! Republicans!!!
Yes you can carry concealed guns but remember criminals would be emboldened to carry more guns I promise you on this. Now the question is who fires first? a twisted mind or a sane mind? Oh Republicans why are you so selfish. You do not want universal Health plan because your insurance companies would suffer and you rather want those who for some reasons could not afford insurance to die. Now you are against gun control because you make a lot money in gun business. Wake up American citizens!
I am a LEO and totally agree with the Thune Amendment. Also I completely disagree with the comments Mr. Bloomberg made in the program, my heart goes out to the family of the slain officer, but Mr. Bloomberg is wrong when he stated that the officers was killed by a “gun”; the officer was killed by a criminal carrying a gun, which I am sure he did not have a permit to carry. Also Mr. Bloomberg made a reference to the Virginia Tech. incident. I can assure you that if one of the persons in the institute had been carrying a concealed weapon, and had the required training, the outcome could have been a lot different, and this also goes with most of the multiple shootings incidents.
I'm extremely liberal, with the exception of my gun rights philosophy. The carry laws should be nationalized or all states should share reciprocity with carry permits. Most of the areas that I visit and would be comforted by a sidearm, are across the border of my state. I leave my gun at home. That's silly. The Dems are missing the boat on this issue. The NRA has hijacked this issue for political gain and has won (disasterous) elections with substantial help from this debate. Where would we be today if this issue hadn't driven elections for the past ten years? Think about it.
John, I live in Vermont, you are allowed to carry a weapon this is true, but we also are screened checked before we leagally purchase a weapon. The amount of people killed by personal weapons in the state is at best,is about 2%. It's not the guns that kill people, it's people that kill people. That's my 2 cents
Dave
Once again, CNN's anti-gun bias comes shining through. They give that worthless arrogant puss bag Bloomberg twice as much time to talk and the last word without any rebuttal by the Senator from Wyoming. When are these arrogant, snotty New York mayors going to realize that no one cares what they do in New York City? It's a dirty, run down, crime infested hell hole that people are leaving in droves. Hardly a shining example of a crime free Utopia!
Yes, people should defnitely be allowed to carry guns across state lines. It is a RIGHT, spelled out in the Constitution, NOT a privilege that hypocrites like Bloomberg can dole out at their discretion. We should not have to ask government for the "permission" to exercise our RIGHTS!
This amendment tramples on the 10th amendment, which accords and recognizes the rights of states to makes their own laws and set their own standards within the states and their communities. Current reciprocity laws concerning concealed weapons work well, are agreed to between participating states, are not mandated by the feds, and are perfectly adequate as they are.
I am a concealed weapons permit holder, a member of the NRA, and I oppose this amendment
Some of the commentary this morning was misleading. Mayor Bloomberg cited a study claiming that people who had a gun in their home were 20 times more likely to be shot by their own gun. The book and research that this frequently made sound bite is based on was long ago severely discredited. The concerns Mayor Bloomberg raised about concealed carry owners from other states being unsafe because of differing regulations is also over the top in terms of the examples of individuals with alcohol problems, unsafe to fly etc. He states people were killed by guns, when it is more accuarate that people are killed by criminal with guns. Its not the CCW holder who you must worry about. Good people are rarely killed by CCW holders with guns. The actual facts and numbers indicate that CCW holders have remarkable low rates of any legal infractions, much safer than the general public. The statsists show they take the responsibility very seriously. Violent crime rates in states passing CCW laws generally declined.
EJB Licensed Psychologist / NRA Instructor
Good morning. I completely disapprove of this bill. A few years back a federal law was passed allowing active law enforcement officers to carry their firearms across state lines. Why would you allow such a privledge for civilians (non-law enforcement persons)? Besides, we already have rights to bear arms in this country. As Mayor Bloomberg mentioned, each state has its own laws. This is surely allow illegal gun trafficking throughout this country.
What most people fail to realize is the liability and responsibility of owning a firearm. As a Law Enforcement Officer I sincerely believe there will be more gun violence in this country.
What Congress should be working is a tougher laws for possession of illegal guns specifically in GANG VIOLENCE!!!
And to attach this to a Bill involving our SOLDIERS is INSANE!!!
First of all, I am anti gun and choose not to own any. But we should lighten up the gun laws for law abiding citizens. The criminals need to be kept behind bars or done away with, without dozens of appeals! Because like it or not, it"s a fact. " If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns."
Besides the Second Ammendment there is also equal protection under the law. The Constitution was not provided for one states' rights but for the country as a whole. Bloomberg and his "Brady Bunch" have it all wrong.
I think that u should be allow to carry A concealed weapons with your license
Absolutely NOT allow concealed weapons across state lines. What problems could people who legally carry guns possibly have in complying with another state and not consealing them when they go out of their state? The funnel up I-95 of guns illegaly right now from Virginia to New York is out of control. This country has more registered gun holders that we know about than the total population of Canada! It is the Wild West here!
Gun lovers claim they already have enough laws on the books- then why aren't they enforced- eg the fellow at Georgia State that went on a rampage with guns he bought at a gun show and 2 other places 'legally'- NO background check!
the writers of the Constitution did not walk on water....what was a logical thought about bearing arms in those days does not apply now....we live in a different world....the interpretation should evolve....the NRA pushes their agenda not because they are so married to the "right to bear arms" but rather the right to brain wash and make lots and lots of money....they fight so hard because they will lose power and money
think people think....
States may regulate within their borders as long as their laws do not usurp the Federal Constitution. Since the simplicity of the language of the 2nd amendment holds that my weapons possession or carrying cannot be "infringed" upon I should be able to carry anywhere in this nation without interference.
HLB
Why does CNN post the item as Senate Votes on Packing Heat???? Sounds like anti gun not good news. For the dumb person who put this on TV it is a consealed Firearms law. These titles at the bottom of the screen make you the ones on the show look stupied.
It seems that this is clearly a federal issue and not a states rights. Furthermore, in the name of consistency shouldn't those who believe "right to carry" is a state issue also take that position that abortion is a state and not federal issue. The fact is that most law abiding citizens are not going to carry a concealed firearm, but the ones who do will take it seriously.
We have enough idiots out there carrying guns, we sure as hell don't need any more. The jerks at the NRA backed by gun manufacturers would like to see it where you could strap on a gun and walk down the street like in the old west, they just watched to many westerns. People that go to a bar and get drunk are not dangerous now out on the roads, we now have idiots that thank they should be able to carry a gun in a bar. What we have now in Florida is we have a drunk carrying a gun leaving the bar betting on a rice rocket without a helmet and down the road he goes , modern day gunslinger, this is what the NRA would like to see.
This must pass! We the law bidding citizens should not be judged by the individulas that will not respect the laws. Those people will cross the state lines anyway, do you think they will not?
Look at the start laws now. I can carry my gun to many stated with no difficulity. This is just federal law turning us into a Socialized country.
If the mayor of New York thinks that New York should be the model for being allowed or not to carry a weapon with a permit God help us. They have more crime of all kinds then any city or state in the U.S. He trys to give the opinion that other states are close to being ignorant and can't make good decisions.
A gun license should be like any other license that we are required to obtain. They are recognizes in all states. Only law abiding citizens bother to get licenses. Crooks just steal them. You can not pass a law that will stop crooks from carrying weapons.
Bloomberg is out of touch with America. He doesn't stand for the rights of the people.
A reciprocal CCW law between states would eliminate confusion by permit holders and reduce the time and money it takes for each state to establish agreements with other individual states. This bill would allow individuals that have permits the right to carry lawfully concealed firearms across state lines, while at the same time respecting the laws of the host state. You may have misrepresented the situation with VT because I believe permit holders can carry into the state but they cannot carry outside because they do not have permits.
I live in Kansas, two years ago Kansas allowed conceal and carry. A person who wishes to carry has a background check and has to have several hours of instruction before they are issued a carry permit.
I don't have a carry permit myself. In Kansas the amount of shootings have not gone up that we have seen. It has not turned out to be the wild wild west!
I have a concealed weapons permit in Texas. We are well trained. Ask Mayor Bloomberg how many people have been killed by a permitted gun carrier in NY or any other state? Then how many police officers in NY have been killed by other police officers? We are identified. The thugs that carry guns without permits are the law breakers and should be arrested and put under the jail.
I just watched Mayor Bloomberg give his "reasons" for opposing the amendment...What a bunch of ignorant misinformed nonsense...he would do well to read up on what he talks about...He has no idea of what his constituents (that's me!) want...Like a lot of public officials, he seems to think he was elected to put *his* views into effect...I vote for officials who will put what *I* deem important into effect...and Bloomberg will not get my vote...
The argument against this law- that it allows "unbalanced people to carry guns anywhere they choose"- is completely flawed. Those people do not need a law to allow them to do it- they just do it.
This law will only affect those abiding by the law: those who have put days into obtaining a permit, those who have taken weeks of training, and those who worked with firearms for their entire life. By removing their right to own and carry weapons will result in only those "unbalanced people" to have weapons.
WE don't need more laws, criminals don't follow the law...that's why they are called criminals. As far as nut cases go, I'm sorry for your loss!
It is proven that these "nuts" go to public places where they know guns will not be. Just imagine if some or many of the students were to carry "concealed" weapons at VT? How many people do you think would have been killed before this maniac killed himself. In just about every case that is what happens, these cowards kill as many people as they can before they take their own lives!
Gun lobbiests.... so your saying that NY state has implemented their laws for safety???? Why don't you try revenue!!!!
Take note CNN; females responding to this weapons issue express negative (less guns) while the males responding express positive toward guns in general. I MAKE MY POINT!!!
I am someone who knows firsthand what can happen when a gun lands in the hands of the wrong person. People who say "guns don't kill people people kill people" are those so far removed from the actuality of the situation it makes my stomach turn. My sons father was murdered at 22 years of age in Detroit Michigan by someone who had no business carrying a gun. Mayors like Bloomberg are fighting for individuals like my four year old son who don't have a father to teach him to ride a bike or tie his shoes. Brian will not be there when he graduates high school or gets married. Yes the constitution was meant to protect our rights but we must also have a legal system that protects boys from losing their daddies because some people would not be capable of taking a life if they did not have access to a gun.
Brenda Foldesi – Please put a big sign in your yard "I do not own a gun". Then tell me how safe you feel.
I would like to know how many times someone who has taken the time to register their weapon, go to a safety course, and put in the proper paperwork to receive their concealed carry permit has committed a crime compared to the number of crimes committed by those who did not go through these measures.
The liberal media NEVER reports when guns save lives, yet there are thousands of incidents each year where private citizens defend themselves from their attackers who, by the way, do not observe any gun laws!
cnn's interview with mayor Bloomberg was full of softballs...how about next time challenging him to back up his wildly inaccurate assumptions?
I agree with the full faith and credit post earlier. As long as people pass a reasonable sniff test, making sure they are not convicted felons, etc., they should be able to get a gun license that allows them to protect themselves, even when crossing a state line. Visits to the big city, which is in the next state over, is a prime example of when I like to have my concealed gun with me. Been doing it for 20 years, and have not needed to pull the gun once, even though I have been in some dark alleys pretty late at night.
The notion that some city cop will be there every time to cover my tail, is ridiculous.
the point is if there carrying doesnt meen there criminals,and going to sell weapons in other states. im totaly for it ,when your traveling it would be nice not to leave it at home. why dont those 450 mayors concentrate on more important things like getting re-elected
guns is a very dangerous discussion first of
all to many scenario's.............no one is right..no one is
wrong...one thing for sure depending on the situation
with in a blink of a eye someone is dead accidentally
or on purpose..now the nra believe that no matter what
the're all ways right..you can't say criminals this and
criminals that they need to stop assuming they're right
some time they're right...all I know is when a problem
occurs and a gun is present we just hope a level head
is present are almighty "GOD" is in control
I say Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire all get together and tell the Gentleman from Wyoming that they'll recognize their law on concealed weapons as soon as they recognize theirs legalizing same sex marriages should those couples choose to move there...Full Faith and Credit at it's best, right?!?!
NO! No one should be allowed to cross state lines with a concealed weapon. Of all the serious issues facing our nation, this is one of the core issues the "do nothing" conservatives are most active about. Ridiculous!
What about my constitutional right not to be killed by some hot headed gun touting guy in a pickup truck who just cut me off on the road and is stopped at a red light looking for a fight because his wife just left him and he didn't take his depression medication. A law abiding citizen until then.
The gun proponents are brainwashed by the NRA. They say guns don't kill people, people kill people. They are wrong. People with guns kill people.
The second amendment of the Constitution says that individuals have the right to bear arms, not guns. With the advent of non-leathal arms such as tasers and stun guns, guns are no longer necessary for personal protection.
I am very much in favor of being able to carry my gun with me when I travel from state to state. I certainly hope this bill passes.
No, concealed weapons should not be allowed across state lines.
Why should one part of the constitution overide another??? If it says in one part of it that a state can make it's own laws that's fine but why does that override my right to bear arms? No arms trafficing is an issue considering that there is a waiting period to own a firearm legaly. The only thing that gun laws have accomplished is to keep guns out of the hands of legal citizens and criminals still posess them regardless. Charlton Heston had it right when he said "If you want my gun you can pry it from my cold dead hand"!!
To get a conceiled weapons licencse you actually have to be trained in safe firearm use. The training is designed to provide both safety and individual protection against those that are targetting the individual and his/her freedom. I don't believe for a moment that any restrictions on carry will affect anyone except the law abiding citizen. The criminal could care less. This is again an effort at total control by the liberals. We need to vote all of them out. I feel much safer in my state where the crime is low and concealed weapons are allowed compared to NYC where they are banned and gun –generally illegal gun – crime is common.
The current trend is that more and more people are getting guns.
That means, Mayor Bloomberg, more and more voters are gun owners.
The Constituion has gun rights as the second amendment. That means it is our second most important right, behind freedom of speech, etc.
The mayor should take his Second Amendment duty more seriously and learn how to handle a firearm.
Of course, law abiding citiziens of the U.S. should be able to concealed carry in every state if they have met the requirements of their state..... much in the same way driver's licenses are respected by all of the states. Bloomberg's arguments are not against concealed carry, they are against gun ownership. Statistics show that crime is reduced when concealed carry is allowed and criminals have to worry that their victim might be armed. Check the numbers instead of reciting emotional examples, for example the Va Tech tragedy, which had nothing whatsoever to do with the issue of concealed carry......except that if one of the victims had been carrying, there would have been an incredibly greater chance that the massive loss of life might have been avoided.
I am a law abiding citizen and should have the right to bear arms. I currently live in Florida and have a concealed permit for there and NY, where I was raised. I took a gun safety course in NY, and training here at the Police Academy, when I moved here. It makes me fell safe.
A.M. Fails
I've had my CCW permit since I was 21 and think this is a great bill. I believe though that some editing is needed to take advantage of this opportunity to standardized training requirements (within reason) throughout the country. While we must have the right to bear arms, we must also have the skill-at-arms to effectively and appropriately use them.
These laws should be left up to the states to decide without federal involvement. If 2 Neighboring states choose to have reciprocity regards to licensing and concealed carry, then so be it. If not, go the extra mile and be licensed in all states where you may be passing through or working and wish to carry your firearm.
I can take my Personal Watercraft license from Connecticut and it will be legal to boat in New York, and Mass...but if I wanted to go ride a JetSki in Virginia, I'd be out of luck unless i became licensed in THAT state as well.
The same should apple. Let the states decide. What's a good fit for gun laws in Texas is not a good fit for laws in Pennsylvania.
We should require criminal backgrounds checks. In mississippi we have had cases where officers killed for hate and not only in public but in jail. I feel I am not safe with some of the police officers. Does this continue to protect the police? What about us (public)? I see corruption on both sides.
Laws only impact law-abiding citizens. If a criminal is going to break the law, with a gun or not, what difference is a silly law in one state going to accomplish? The only thing gun control laws do is inhibit law abiding citizens from protecting themselves against others not incumbered by such restrictions. If I were to carry a concealed weapon into New York City and commit a crime who would be able to stop me, law or no law??
I support this measure and feel that the opposition is misrepresenting the truth. Mayor Bloomberg (NY) this morning stated that individuals on the Homeland Security banned flight list were capable of obtaining permits for carrying concealed weapons. He continued to say that they will then bring them to your state in order to carry out terrorist acts. Really Mayor? Really? What state is issuing these permits? I have such a permit here in Massachusetts and it was very difficult to obtain. Please substantiate your comments and leave out the alarmist fabrications.
I think this is a great idea, and would be a huge breakthrough for the NRA and the law abiding citizens of the United States. There are already many states that have reciprocity with each other and this would eliminate the worry of whether or not a state acknowledges your CCW permit. Like it was said on the broadcast, it is the law abiding citizens who are carrying these permits. A crook definately does not want to advertise for the whole US that they own a firearm, much less carry one. I think that you should still be subject to the regulations for CCW in the state that you are in (ie: trigger pull in NY, and restrictions on places you are allowed to carry) but if CCW is allowed in that state why shouldnt your permit be good in that state. It would ease my mind to know that no matter where I am, I have the choice to carry my handgun.
The Mayor of New York City is upset over the right to carry hand guns in his state. I wish CNN which is my news source would be more honest in giving facts on this subject. Maybe CNN is anti Gun???.
New York allows Car and Trucks from Florida, Iowa, and Tennessee, and I'm sure other state to drive on their highways. This Auto's are not safe as they don't require inspection. So please tell me how many people in New York die or are hurt from Auto accidents every day compared to gun shots??
Also I was in England last summer where gun control is the strictest of any place I know, And yet London alone had over 90 stabbings and I don't know how many beatings. I guess they would rather be stabbed than shot.
CNN always shows assault rifles when they do a report and these are the smallest number of guns owned by Americans. And what is an assault rifle?? Are you talking about a full auto weapon?? if so it is a big fine and 10 years in jail for owning one already.
Please start showing the type of gun most Americans own lever action and bolt action. Let stop trying to scare Americans. So next time your in New York be safe and on your guard as their highways are not safe, But the mayor doesn't care about that. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the bad guys will not obey any laws gun or other wise.
What protects people like me? I own alot of guns I use them, I use them for fun, target pratice and just testing my skills. I live 1300 miles from my home state. I travel there and do have fun shooting and just making the day go by. I don't want a concealed carry permit, and do not need one. What protects my rights to transport my guns from one state to another?
I just saw NYC Mayor Bloomberg on your program, saying that only mayors understand what guns do, and that US senators live in some sort of ivory tower by comparison.
It's very clear that the Mayor is in a very tall ivory tower of his own. He is out of touch with the facts about guns, and is out of touch with the concept of the rights that rightfully belong t citizens. He and his buddies in ruling elite are of course accompanied by armed bodyguards all the time, so he has no understanding of why an ordinary citizen might also value his own life, and want to be able to defend it from crminals.
Contrary to the Mayor's assertions, citizens carrying concealed weapons are on average much more law-abiding than the general public. His claims that this law will allow concealed weapons permit holders to come to New York City and sell handguns is just nonsense. Such behavior is a felony now, and would be a felony after the law passed. Just typical leftist, statist fear-mongering.
The 2nd Amendment – Says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." How dare Mayor Bloomberg infringe on my federal constitutional rights!
A definite NO! I agree with Mayor Bloomburg. What is wrong with America? Basically, what this really comes down to is the violent nature of the MALE of the human species. Carrying a gun for PROTECTION is a lot of hogwash. Males feel important, macho. How many times have we seen a man go over the deep end and kill someone (or his family) because there was a gun in the house. It just makes it that much easier. When that happens, we sit back and say "what could have prompted that person to do such a terrible thing?" Having a gun so readily available is WHAT HAPPENED!
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
I cannot understand the "cowboy mentality" that survives in this country, nor do i understand the fervor of those who want more and more, shall we say, 'gun rights."
How appalling that gun rights riders are attached to unrelated bills.
Why do people need guns?
And why do the NRA and gun rights lobby have so much clout?
Totally inexplicable and disgraceful.
This bill must not pass.
Absolutely. The police as well as all of the citizens will benefit from this. Most shooting victims are shot by people who do not have permits. This would allow more law-abiding citizens to carry guns for personal protection, etc. This won't prevent criminals from doing what they are going to do anyway.
Please do not pass this bill to allow concealed weapons to be legal across state lines. We need fewer guns, not more.
I don't think it would be sensible at all to so openly defy the US Constitution. If the government is slowly trying to get rid of the second amendment, they should use Bush' technique with the war on terror instead of just coming out and trying to reverse the second amendment, an amendment that has left the majority of the American population feeling free and safe.
Yes, law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry across state lines.
Our state elected officials should be implementing more consistent laws that reflect our constitutional rights.
Marriage is not in the Bill of Rights. The RIGHT to Keep and Bear Arms IS in the BIll of Rights. Any other questions?
Hell no !!!! These senator"s that are in the guin lobby "s pocket should be rxposed and voted out of office. This is another reason for public financing.Take special interest money out of politics and take our country back.
with all the road rage, anger, spousal abuse issues and just over all nuts....add to that too much testosterone........do you really want concealled guns....I lost a relative because of a nut case with a gun...
Really??? Why would you be worried about the people that get a concealed weapons permit??? I think the ones I would be worried about would be the ones that don't.....like the criminals???
hog wash, get your facts before you do a story. I have a concealed carry permit and can cross state lines in many states with a hand gun. There are reciprocity states and there are many. I travel from NC to PA on a regular basis and MD is the only state I'll have to unload and put in my trunk. If I go into NY, I don't really care if I can't take a weapon there.
I appreciate Mayor Bloomburg's point of view, however as a gun owner who is from Texas currently living in NY; this would keep me from going to jail over what I feel is my right. I do not wish to harm any person or thing and that is not why I have or carry a weapon. I have one to protect myself against the person who does not care and who wishes to do me harm.
A gun is only a tool, if there is intent to do harm a criminal will use anything. A gun only levels the playing field. A criminal uses surprise as his first weapon, what should I have?
Mayor Bloombergh has it right. What is appropriate for one state isnt for another. The Constitution provides states a certain level of control as to what happens in their states.
No, people shouldnt be allowed to cross state lines with consealed weapsons if a different state has a different law.
2nd Amendment.. The forefathers opened a can of worms on this. Sure, you can bear arms for you to protect your home and love ones, but give me a break. We are talking about the wild, wild west… The first time someone uses a gun and kill someone on the streets, restaurant, etc., with a so-called “concealed weapon”. the law will prevail. This will become open season for any anyone who feels threatened.
So why is gun carry permit a states' rights issue but same-sex marriage is not?
I believe law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry their legally possessed firearms anywhere in the US. We are the only ones affected by the current restrictions, the criminals don't pay any attention to the laws anyway.
"...shall not be infringed."
If these Yahoos would spend their time worrying about healthcare and the economy, they wouldn't have time for this nonsense of where you take a concealed weapon.
I am an advocate of concealed carry and a supporter of the right to own firearms. Taking away that right from law abiding citizens will NOT automatically prevent nutters like Cho from getting access to firearms (ie. Black market and illegal firearms), instead it simply gives people like him an edge over innocent law abiding citizens and their ability to protect themselves, their family and property.
Why shouldn't law abiding people have the right to carry their legal weapons across state lines? If they're permitted by one state, then throught the "full faith and credit" provision on the Constitution says they should have the right to carry in another state.
Depending on the state you live in, you already have such ability. Florida (for example) has agreements with +/- 26 other states. If you have a Concealed Weapon-Firearm license here, you can carry your firearm in any of those states (Provided you follow their law.)
Also, thanks to the 2004 Congress, All Law Enforcement (& Retired, thank you) may carry firearms in any of the 50 states. (As it should be. The second scariest words you will ever here as a retired law enforcement officer are, "Do you remember me?". The scariest are "I remember YOU!" as you are standing in WalMart with your daughter.
JSC