Today’s Capitol Ideas blog-du-jour:
We Sent A Kevlar-Clad Intern Nick To A Press Conference …
… this morning, and this is the report he filed:
“Because you should never forget to leave your house without packing…
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus voiced strong opposition today to federal legislation that would allow gun-owners to carry concealed firearms across state lines, and they urged the state’s two Democratic United States. senators, Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr., to vote against it this afternoon.
“This amendment will have a strong impact on the fight and the battle that we continue to wage here in Pennsylvania for the enactment of common sense laws to control the flow of illegal hand guns,” Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, said. “Our coalition is growing. We are not alone in this issue.”
Parker cited a long list of gun-control advocates, including CeaseFire PA and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, that are opposing the measure.
The legislation – to be taken up at noon in the U.S. Senate today – would allow states with “concealed carry” laws to recognize the rights of visiting gun-owners, provided they obey the laws of the state they enter. Some states already negotiate agreements with other states that have concealed carry laws for “reciprocal rights,” including Pennsylvania.
The bill was scheduled Thursday to come before a U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in which Specter is the chairman. But the bill’s sponsor, a South Dakota senator, offered an amendment to a national defense spending bill to be voted on today to include the concealed firearm language.
Omnibus, anyone?
Specter said he would vote against the amendment in a statement issued on his Web site yesterday. He also “tweeted” his opposition — for the record.
“From my own experience growing up in Kansas and being District Attorney of Philadelphia, I know states need to prescribe their own rules for carrying a concealed deadly weapon,” Specter said. “This is the essence of federalism. My vote against the [amendment] will not limit the constitutional rights of hunters and gun owners.”
The PLBC, as well as the Philadelphia Delegation, urged Casey to follow suit and oppose the measure.
“We’re very confident with both our senators,” Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, said. “We’re here today to remind them and remind the public in general just to stay vigilant on this issue.”
The National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates are pushing for the bill’s passage and believe the bill would simply extend already-recognized rights across state lines. Advocates also say concealed carry laws deter criminals because they are less likely to commit a crime if they suspect a potential victim is armed.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the measure would protect states’ rights and respect individual states’ firearms laws, as well.
But Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Philadelphia, said the bill would take away states’ rights to negotiate laws with other states and would subsequently weaken federal and state gun laws.
Pennsylvania currently recognizes concealed carry rights for visiting gun-owners from seven states. Seventeen states recognize these rights for visiting Pennsylvanians. The Attorney General has the authority to negotiate agreements.
“When I think about illegal gun trafficking from state-to-state, [this bill] is another loophole for you to purchase legal guns, cross the state’s borders and get rid of those guns,” Johnson said. “And you can hide under the law and say, ‘Well, it’s concealed.’””
The blog entry in the flesh, right here.
