Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Senate Dems Bring Down Concealed-Weapons Measure

Schumer leads effort to quash Thune amendment

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 1:30 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Senate Democrats today narrowly defeated a measure that would have let concealed weapons be transported across state lines, the Hill reports. The amendment, which required 60 votes to pass according to a prior, bipartisan agreement, went down 58-39. Sen. Charles Schumer and majority whip Dick Durbin fought hard to drum up opposition until the last minute. “Lives have been saved,” Schumer said.

“If this had passed, it would have created havoc for law enforcement and endangered the safety of millions,” Schumer noted. Twenty Democrats, including majority leader Harry Reid, supported the amendment by Republican Sen. John Thune. The defeat was an unusual setback for the NRA, which had called it “a giant step forward in the protection of our basic right to self-defense.”

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill, July 14, 2009, during her confirmation hearing before the committee.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill, July 14, 2009, during her confirmation hearing before the committee.   (AP Photo)
Sen. John Thune, R-SS, is seen on Capitol Hill last month.
Sen. John Thune, R-SS, is seen on Capitol Hill last month.   (AP Photo)
Senate Judiciary Committee members Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY , left, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., participate in the committee's markup hearing on Capitol Hill.
Senate Judiciary Committee members Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY , left, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., participate in the committee's markup hearing on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
azdex
Jul 7, 2010 3:15 PM CDT
I don't get it! A weapon is a weapon, concealed or not. I hold a concealed weapons permit and often carry when traveling. I always make myself aware of which states do, and do not, honor my permit. So, if I'm traveling from my home state of Arizona to Texas, which honors my permit, am I required to "un-conceal" my weapon when I pass over the state line? Perhaps we should outlaw congressional "concealed-grandstanding" instead.
azdex
Jul 7, 2010 3:09 PM CDT
I don't get it. First of all, a weapon is always a weapon, concealed or not. I have a concealed weapons permit and do carry when traveling. I make sure I'm aware of states that do, and do not, honor my permit. If I travel from my home state of Arizona to Texas, which honors my permit, should I "un-conceal" my weapon as I pass over the state line? What makes Sen Schumer think that an un-concealed weapon is different (safer?) from a concealed weapon? I believe all states that issue permits require proper training and background checks of applicants. I complied with these requirements. Criminals would not be able to get a permit, or want one.
Fondue
Jul 23, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
The NRA complains that Federal regulation violates state's rights, but wants a Federal law to de-regulate and ultimately supplant all state laws.

 
Congress • Charles Schumer • Senate • NRA • Senate Democrats • concealed weapon • Dick Durbin • concealed-weapons laws • John Thune • amendment

More Newser Stories

Bad News for Dems? Ben Nelson Retiring

27% of Senate Press Releases Taunt Other Side

Gillibrand, Schumer: We'll Pass New 9/11 Health Bill

Schumer Turns Attack Dog for Dems

Schumer May Try to Rewrite Filibuster Rules
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne