House passes concealed carry gun bill

CBS/AP

The House of Representatives passed a measure Wednesday that would make a permit to carry a concealed firearm from one state valid in any state that allows citizens to carry concealed weapons. The vote was 272 to 154.

The National Rifle Association-backed measure had the backing of the vast majority of Republicans along with a coalition of pro-gun rights Democrats.

A matching bill has not been brought forward in the Democrat-led Senate. But gun rights advocates have previously nearly-successfully attempted to attach a similar measure to unrelated legislation.

Every state except Illinois and the District of Columbia allow residents to carry concealed weapons, the Associated Press reports, but states have varying standards for issuing permits to do so.

Backers of the measure say concealed carry permits should be treated the same as drivers' licenses, and argue that Second Amendment rights should not be constrained by state boundaries.

The legislation would "make it easier for law-abiding permit holders to know that they are simply in compliance with the law when they carry a firearm as they travel," said Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla, a chief co-sponsor of the bill, according to the AP. The bill would not allow Americans to secure permits in another state for use in their home state.

Opponents complain that it would force states to allow people to carry concealed weapons even if those individuals could not meet that state's standards for securing a permit.

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer said in a statement before the vote that the bill "would cripple the ability of individual states to legislate on firearm safety and related public safety issues as their unique circumstances dictate." Hoyer also criticized the Republicans who control the House for bringing forth a bill that is not related to jobs, while other Democrats said the legislation flew in the face of Republicans' stated belief in states' rights.

The Obama administration, which has been reticent to weigh in on gun rights issues, declined to take a position on the bill despite calls from gun rights opponents for the president to issue a veto threat.

New York Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer, who is pushing for better Justice Department enforcement of a requirement that states share federal background check information, has vowed to block similar legislation in the Senate.

Dennis Henigan, Acting President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said after the vote that the bill "would make it easier for the Jared Loughners of the world to pack heat on our streets and in our communities."

"It's deplorable that they did this so soon after Gabby Giffords shared her remarkable and moving comeback story," he said. "She and all gun violence victims deserve better from Congress."

[donttreadonmeorelse]

A lot of responses exhibited ignorance, only spddarkside hit the nail on the head regaarding carrying guns. As far as marriage, it's no one's business who two consenting adults choose to do.

[donttreadonmeorelse]

SPCDARKSIDE answered bgansel9's query. It is dangerous to have people carrying guns, one never knows when a jealous spouse will go over the edge and get even. Probably best if we eliminated guns altogether.

[Fatesrider]

Gay marriage and states rights? SCREW THEM! Gun laws so people can kill other people and themselves easier? SCREW THE STATES!

Guys, make up your damn minds. If states have the right to deny federal civil rights to married couples, then they damn sure have the right to deny the right to carry a concealed weapon.

[junior_nortman]

please show me where in the constitution does it say anything about "the right to marry shall not be infringed"it doesnt.at the same time people have the right to marry and it should be between any gender.but thats the problem.states shouldnt get in the business of whos married and who isnt.its all about money to them.the right to carry is clearly stated in the constitution as a right to the militia and the people.has nothing to do with marriage.sick of people comparing gun rights to marriage rights.and who gets a concealed carry just so they can "kill" people?dont need a permit for that..i could get a gun on the street to do that.its not a bout killing its about protecting ones life and ones around them.dont give me that crap about thats what cops are for because its clear that they cant be everywhere at once.theres a difference between killing and murdering remember that...but i dont expect people like you to understand that.your kind only want cops with the guns...god help us all...smh

[jfkrepublican]

hay obwan222,..poor gabby ,for sure , but what about the dead people and their families.the judge, the little girl,,all the others..i wish someone had a gun and stopped that crazed person..some people don't wake up till it happens to them...that's too bad ..but some people really don't have a mind of their own..

[eqreynolds]

The GOP, brought to you by the Wall Street Banks and the NRA. Just looking out for the average American.

There will be no sense of fairness and justice regarding gun rights until we give up the stupidity of liberal/conservative and discuss this issue on urban/rural territory. In the outback, there is no reason whatsoever for people not to be as armed as they wish, but not in an urban setting. Bring a gun into the city, and all it's good for is killing people.

[Dthunderchicken]

"Bring a gun into the city, and all it's good for is killing people."

Or protecting one's self. (Ever been to East St. Louis IL?)

[eqreynolds]

The GOP, brought to you by the Wall Street Banks and the NRA. Just looking out for the average American.

[debbiedee58]

thats great the right to bear arms

[DamnOld]

I lived in Kentucky once.

If any of those 'citizens' were carryin', we'd ALL BE IN TROUBLE!!

[stupidrules3]

You have no idea how many of those "citizens" were carrying. I assure you that many were.

[BillKilpatrick]

This is the priority of the Republican-dominated House of Representatives. We are in the middle of the worst recession in fifty years and the GOP's top concern is concealed firearms. This is why the Republicans can't find a presidential candidate who doesn't look like a rodeo clown.

[calif7]

Surprised the GOP did not attach an amendment working "In God We Trust" to the bill.

[junior_nortman]

so what..thats one issue they should be able to handle as well...thats been a stomped on right for forever,about time someone decided to bring this up.i get tired of traveling to m=nyc without my weapon and hearing gunshots every night im there.bodies laid out every night.it wont be me..i still carry my legally purchased gun..i now live in VA and i love it..hardly any crime whatsoever.youre comment holds no weight

[WB27R]

Really, lets see now, if it takes me about 1.5 seconds to draw a CONCEALED handgun and another .2 seconds to pop it off safe, all the while bringing it up to aim thats a total of 3 seconds and there is a .45 slug or 2 in that psychopath and he isnt shooting anymore.
not saying by any means that everybody should have a gun because that certainly isnt true, however if you allow people with a LEGITIMATE background check, **** like this wont happen, same deal with the VT massacre. Taking that right away just gives law breakers the ability to do something without consequence and takes law abiding citezens right to carry a firearm and protect themselves and those around them.
just my .02

[WB27R]

This was intended to reply to Birdman04 below me.