Missourians split as concealed carry amend. gunned down
WASHINGTON — You don’t often see the National Rifle Association take it on the chops but that’s what happened this afternoon when an amendment to allow people with concealed weapons permits carry guns across state lines lost by a scant two votes.
The effort to, in effect, federalize concealed carry laws existing in 48 states received 58 votes — but 60 votes were needed.
“What we’re trying to do is let law-abiding people protect themselves when they travel across state lines,” argued Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chief sponsor of the amendment.
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, responded by saying that “not a single law enforcement group supports John Thune’s amendment. The men and women who are risking their lives every day for our safety oppose it.”
Durbin and Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., opposed the legislation, as did Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, R-Mo., supported it.
With 20 Democrats primary from the South and Midwest supporting the amendment, defection by two Republican senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana and George Voinovich of Ohio, provided the margin of defeat.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay was among some 450 mayors from across the country who were allied against the legislation.
Two votes equals “taking it on the chops?”
Slay’s an idiot. He runs around jumping on these stupid opposition alliances when not ONE person has been murdered in his city by a CCW licensed individual.
Every state has different driving regulations, yet all drivers licenses have reciprocity.
Quoting the Violence Policy Centers own numbers, but without the fearmongering, only 57 gun deaths occurred over two years among the millions of concealed carry license holders. How many thousands of car deaths were caused by people with drivers licenses?
If getting 58% of the Senate to support your position is “taking it on the chops” then what is it when only 47% of Americans support your health plan? And what is it when respondents in the latest CBS poll gave Congress a 22% job approval rating?
And let’s not forget, Lugar was endorsed by the Brady Campaign, not the NRA. So his defection is no surprise. And as far as Lugar crossing party lines, no surprise there either - he has been full of praise for President Obama lately, and enthusiastically supported Sotomayor.
I doubt the NRA is really that exorcised about it. Sure, they supported the amendment but this was hardly a hill worth dying on.
Interesting though that staunch liberals Russ Feingold and Harry(This war is lost!)Reid voted for it.
Fish — Good points on Dems. Reid’s vote suggests he’s worried about re-election. As for Feingold, Wisconsin (and Illinois) are the only 2 states without concealed carry laws. But I don’t think that explains Feingold’s opposition given the opposition from Illinois guys. One interesting Dem note: Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas had voted against the reciprocity but in the last seconds when it was likely his voted didn’t matter he switched to “aye.” That’s a fellow hearing footsteps.
No surprise that Dick Turban and Boy Burris voted against it. Until these two losers are sent packing, this state willl never progress. Turban is smart enough to support all the welfare and giveaway programs to secure the poor lowlife black votes. As for Lugar, he is a nutless democrat masquerading as a Republican and snowjobbing the hoosiers and hayseeds in Indiana.As major of one of the murder and drug capitals of the country, I have no idea what Slay is thinking.
What does it really matter? I have a Florida CCW and can legally carry into 30 other states, including this one. Everybody who has a CCW knows this. Unless this law allowed carry into IL or WI, I’m not really seeing where anything was lost.
Amazed, I agree, Slay’s an idiot.
I’m not surprised Reid voted for it. He’s a rancher in the west, they know the benefit of firearms.
Lugar and Voinovich, total morons. Why should just defect like Specter.
Vonovich is leaving the Senate and excellent point bill on Pryor. What a “brave” vote. I look forward to McCaskill’s end in 2012. She doesn’t bring home the bacon, yet votes in favor of Murtha’s PMA earmarks. Thanks a lot Claire, Missourians really appreciate paying for Pennsylvania’s earmarks and we get bupkis!
http://thesource.typepad.com/thesource/2009/03/earmarks-and-claire.html
Then she votes for Tarp and the stimulus, but votes against the President’s budget acting all centrist and stuff when she knew full well her vote wouldn’t matter for passage. Boy, Claire, that really is making yourself all mavericky and stuff. She is one big phony. Watch her to tell the PD and local radio shows she just “isn’t quite sure yet how she is going to vote on the climate bill and the healthcare bill.” If Obama “needs” her vote, you can bet your bottom dollar she will vote in favor of both. Let’s see what Bill reports on this topic.
Note to Claire, your constituents supported John McCain in 2008 even though you support Mr. Obama. You might try listening to your constituents once in a while instead of allowing your staff to flip them off. Just curious, why isn’t your local office in Kirkwood where you live instead of on Delmar?
I am still amazed at how many liberals have NO common sense. People with a CCW permit have no criminal record and go through a thorough background check. Only .001 percent of all CCW permit holders have been charged with a firearms violation, and most of those charges were dropped. I remember all the wackos in the city of STL claiming it was going to be the Wild West if MO permited CCW’s. Hah, what a joke. If you are travelling and out in the middle of nowhere, trust me from xperience, I was glad I had mine with me.