July 28, 2010 5:36 PM

House Passes Bill to Keep Creditors From Taking Guns

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Congress
(Credit: AP)

If you file for bankruptcy, you run the risk of losing your money and your car to creditors.

But under a measure that just overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives, one thing they would not be able to take is your gun.

The House this afternoon passed a bill that would change the law to allow someone going through bankruptcy proceedings to retain their rifles, shotguns, and pistols so long as they are worth less than $3,000 combined. (CBS Radio Capitol Hill correspondent Bob Fuss reports that, under the law, if you keep just one firearm, there is no such limit on its value.)

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT, introduced a similar measure in the Senate yesterday. The bill passed the House 307 to 113.

The House measure was introduced by freshman Democratic Rep. John Boccieri of Ohio, who argues that "We must protect the rights guaranteed to us by our founding fathers, no matter what financial circumstances a citizen might face," according to The Plain Dealer.

The National Rifle Association, possibly the most powerful lobbying group in Washington, endorsed the measure, saying in part, "We think it is reasonable for folks who are in financial distress to have an effective means of defending themselves."

Many states already have carve-outs for firearms in bankruptcy proceedings.

New York Democratic Rep. Carolyn McCarthy argued on the House floor that the measure is a mistake, the Plain Dealer reports, arguing that having guns in households that are going through bankruptcy could increase the risks of suicide and violence.


Add a Comment
by Microsuck_ripoff August 2, 2010 6:46 AM EDT
In The Toledo Blade newspaper, it was described how a repeat offender just stabbed and killed a popular gas clerk, who did not give him a cigarrette and 35 cents that he demanded.
Reply to this comment
by chozen1956 July 31, 2010 3:26 PM EDT
Oh brother. Now these lawyers and bureaucrats are playing Tom Cruise in Minority Report. So, these people that haven't a clue about what's happening in the real world NOW, want to enact laws based on the possibility of what MIGHT happen? Are you serious? Can I play that game too? Voting for Democrats MIGHT make you eligible for a mental institution because of your obvious propensity for dangerous behavior.
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by fdigirolomo July 29, 2010 7:11 PM EDT
SueZeeeQue, Are you are you updating us on your mental status? Are drinking the same "kool aid" as Rep McCarthy.
Reply to this comment
by fdigirolomo July 29, 2010 7:08 PM EDT
Rep. McCarthy should be banned since she is obviously an idiot, can't form a rational thought, causes insanity and is morally and ethically bankrupt. She is no more sane than the insane person who shot her husband. She still blames the gun and not the person.

Would she blame the train he was riding had he died in a train wreck?
Reply to this comment
by sullivanmt July 29, 2010 2:44 PM EDT
Man, I only wanted to change one word on the NRA response... does that make me a Breitbart?

"The National Rifle Association, possibly the most powerful lobbying group in Washington, endorsed the measure, saying in part, "We think it is reasonable for folks who are in financial distress to have an effective means of SHOOTING themselves."
Reply to this comment
by hippyhawk July 29, 2010 11:41 AM EDT
A democrat from Vermont non the less!
I can see that it makes some sense as long as you don't own a designer rifle with exotic woods that is worth 12,000. If you have a piece that nice then you are holding out on your creditors in a big way.
We have a right to be able to defend ourselves from the vermin that would snuff your life out for the change in your wallet. Older people need help and so do small weak bodied people such as women and handicapped persons.
I like this idea.
Reply to this comment
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