From today's Record: Gun Control

 

Race to the bottom on gun control

Sunday, September 25, 2011

BY FRANK R. LAUTENBERG

The Record

 

In 10 years, guns have been used to murder about 100,000 people in the U.S.; two wars have killed about 6,000 Americans.

 

OUR STREETS are flooded with guns. In a country with just over 300 million people, there are just under 300 million guns in our neighborhoods.

 

Guns have been used to murder about 100,000 people in the United States over the past 10 years. By comparison, approximately 6,000 American soldiers have died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq during that same period.

 

The fact is, lax gun laws and loose gun ownership have created battlefields in our very own cities. The last thing we should be doing is increasing the accessibility and mobility of dangerous weapons.

 

In New Jersey, we work hard to keep guns out of the hands of people who have no business having them. Before we issue a permit for concealed carry, we require applicants to complete a firearms training course and demonstrate why they need to carry a handgun. These rules make New Jersey's handgun laws among the nation's toughest — and our state should take pride in that.

 

But now in Washington some are trying to expand gun ownership rules by stripping states of their right to decide who can carry concealed weapons. A dangerous measure proposed primarily by Republicans in the House of Representatives would allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed firearms across state lines. In effect, the House bill would let gun owners in states with lax laws carry concealed weapons into New Jersey and other states. States like New Jersey would be forced to accept the weakest standards in the nation, triggering a race to the bottom.

 

We don't need states like Texas, Arizona and Alaska telling us how to protect our people from gun violence.

 

The House bill would also put police at risk by making it tougher to determine whose gun is legal and whose isn't. Law enforcement has it tough enough, and we must not make their jobs more difficult by allowing this in our state. It would be a nightmare for law enforcement, but it will be a dream come true for the National Rifle Association, which is hanging its hopes on the prospect Congress will abandon common sense and pass this law. We can't allow that to happen.

 

When the Senate debated similar legislation during the summer of 2009, I was proud to lead the fight that ultimately led to its defeat. Our position has received a lot of support from mayors, police chiefs, prosecutors, state lawmakers and advocates for domestic violence victims. We need to continue hearing from them so that communities stay involved, keep in touch and remain on the lookout.

 

In a recent poll by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, almost three-quarters of voters opposed Washington's interference with states' rights to establish their own standards for issuing concealed carry permits. The public has had enough, especially after the recent tragedies in Tucson, where Jared Lee Loughner shot and killed six people, and in Carson City, Nev., where a gunman shot and killed five people, including himself.

 

The fact is, we should be strengthening gun-safety laws – not weakening them.

Won't this fossil just retire already!

 

Since no one else posted it, here's what the NRA ILA has to say about this bill. It's pretty much a rebuttal to the fossil's fear mongering.

 

---------------

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=7106

 

National Right-to-Carry Bill Under Attack

 

Friday, September 23, 2011

 

 

As we reported last week, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security recently held a hearing on H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011."

 

This critically important bill, introduced earlier this year by Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and cosponsored by more than 240 of their colleagues, would enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.

 

There is currently only one remaining state (Illinois) that has no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. Forty states have permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems. (Vermont has never required a permit.)

 

H.R. 822 would mark a major step forward for gun owners' rights by significantly expanding where those permits are recognized. Dozens of states have passed Right-to-Carry laws over the past 25 years because the right to self-defense does not end when one leaves home. However, interstate recognition of those permits is not uniform and creates great confusion and potential problems for travelers. While many states have broad reciprocity, others have very restrictive reciprocity laws. Still others deny recognition completely.

 

H.R. 822 would solve this problem by requiring that lawfully issued carry permits be recognized, while protecting the ability of the various states to determine the areas where carrying is prohibited within their boundaries.

 

Unfortunately, but predictably, H.R. 822 continues to be attacked in some quarters, namely the anti-gun media, like the New York Times and the Washington Post; anti-gun organizations, like the Brady Campaign, and New York City Mayor Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns; and, regrettably, even some so-called pro-gun organizations.

 

Opponents of the legislation claim that it tramples on each "states' rights." But states don't have rights, only powers. And while many anti-gun lawmakers who've long pushed national gun bans, national bans on private gun sales, national waiting periods and other federal restrictions have suddenly become born-again advocates of "states' rights" to oppose this bill, several provisions of the Constitution give Congress the authority to enact interstate carry. Congress also has the power to protect the rights of citizens, nationwide, under the 14th Amendment (please see related article from last week's Grassroots Alert).

 

Next, despite what a handful of "pro-gun" activists say, the bill would not create a federal licensing system, nor would it establish a minimum federal standard for the carry permit. Rather, it would require the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize driver's licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Unfortunately, these self-proclaimed "gun rights" supporters, who have no active lobbying presence in any legislature, have an agenda that has very little to do with promoting the interests of gun owners. Here are the FACTS about a few of their claims:

 

Myth: H.R. 822 would involve the federal bureaucracy in setting standards for carry permits, resulting in "need" requirements, higher fees, waiting periods, national gun owner registration, or worse.

 

FACT: H.R. 822 doesn't require—or even authorize—any such action by any federal agency. In fact, since it would amend the Gun Control Act, it would fall under a limitation within that law that authorizes "only such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out" the GCA's provisions. No federal rules or regulations would be needed to implement H.R. 822, which simply overrides certain state laws.

 

Myth: H.R. 822 would destroy permitless carry systems such as those in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

 

FACT: H.R. 822 would have absolutely no effect on how the permitless carry states' laws work within those states. For residents of Arizona, Alaska and Wyoming, where permits are not required but remain available under state law, H.R. 822 would make those permits valid in all states that issue permits to their own residents. Residents of Vermont, where no permits are issued or required, could obtain nonresident permits from other states to enjoy the benefits of H.R. 822.

Myth: If H.R. 822 moved through the legislative process, it would be subject to anti-gun amendments.

 

TRUTH: By this logic, neither NRA, nor any other pro-gun group, should ever promote any pro-gun reform legislation. But inaction isn't an option for those of us who want to make positive changes for gun owners. Instead, we know that by careful vote counting and strategic use of legislative procedure, anti-gun amendments can be avoided or defeated.

 

H.R. 822 is a good bill for gun owners. Don't listen to false and misleading accusations. Read the bill yourself and read our fact sheet to get the facts. Then, please contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the earliest possible consideration of H.R. 822 this year.

 

You can find contact information for your U.S. Representative by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. You may also contact your Representative by phone at (202) 225-3121.

Just saw that item in today's Record a little while ago. Amazing how he deliberately makes no distinction between criminals obtaining guns, and the right of responsible citizens to defend themselves.

Anyone else have a hard time reading the first post with out getting very upset.

 

Really if people don't want to live by the Constitution then they should leave the USA..

 

Harry

Why, with all the scare talk from Lautenberg about turning cities into battlefields, other states manage to survive with their "lax" gun laws? It's not like anyone can point to NJ and revel in how safe it is or point to Texas and revel in how dangerous it is. Lautenberg's letter had a desperate sound to it to me.

i just hope mr lautenberg does not get terrorized by a bad guy with a gun before he changes his mind! those people that were killed in tucson and carson city would have had a fighting chance if they were carrying a firearm. god bless there souls. good to be able to defend your life and your family at home, but if your outside your home like those said victims and firearm is lock at home, won't do us any good i guess. less cops on the streets + more criminals unlawfully carrying firearm, nobody wants to be the victim!

"We don't need states like Texas, Arizona and Alaska telling us how to protect our people from gun violence".

 

=and NJ is doing such a good job protecting OUR citizens? I think not! Tell that to the couple leaving AC.

 

..why cant this old bastard just die already?

"We don't need states like Texas, Arizona and Alaska telling us how to protect our people from gun violence".

 

=and NJ is doing such a good job protecting OUR citizens? I think not! Tell that to the couple leaving AC.

 

..why cant this old bastard just die already?

Agreed. Murder rate is up, petty crime is up. Way to go NJ, way to protect your citizens <sarcasm>

 

He won't die. The living dead are immune to such mortal concerns.

He could get a carry permit without any trouble. Does he have one? He is, after all, making rules for other people.

We need to load our "Letters To The Editor" rebuttals here after they are printed by The Record. Take his points apart and supply the facts.

 

 

heir lautenberg is just trying to re-live his days as an SS officer.

I like the fact that he brought up Afghanistan and Iraq when that has nothing to do with this bill. He might as well be discussing why garden gnomes should be considered as an alternative food source, considering that has about as much bearing to this bill.

I just have to say THANK YOU for showing that us gun owners have some class, and not calling him by some stupid, unintelligent re-creation of his name.

Ill bet he has an armed security guard with him at all times while in NJ. I would also like to know if he has a NJ carry permit.

Just saw that item in today's Record a little while ago. Amazing how he deliberately makes no distinction between criminals obtaining guns, and the right of responsible citizens to defend themselves.

 

 

I noticed that too. 300 million people and 300 million guns. So, i guess everyone in the country is a criminal.

 

 

100,000 people each year die because of guns. And of that 100,000, how many are legal carrying gun owners that just decided to open fire on people? It's the illegal gun owners and the cops that are responsible for most of that statistic. He really needs to make distinctions.

 

Does anyone know of a whorehouse he frequents? So we can have him disgraced and force him to leave.

I just have to say THANK YOU for showing that us gun owners have some class, and not calling him by some stupid, unintelligent re-creation of his name.

 

I'm stumped. Can a get a hint?

I noticed that too. 300 million people and 300 million guns. So, i guess everyone in the country is a criminal.

 

 

100,000 people each year die because of guns.

 

This is why politicians use numbers like this. Most people don't read what they say.

 

100,000 over the past ten years.

 

Did you know that guns have murdered millions of people, right here in the USA? I hear that '63 was a particularly bad year, nearly 100,000 killed! (1863)

I'm stumped. Can a get a hint?

Louse-berg, Louseyberg......there are a couple of others that work too.

Louse-berg, Louseyberg......there are a couple of others that work too.

 

Lautenmummy, The Fossil...

I prefer to call Lautenburg just plain ole asshole.

"Libtard"

You all are doing well with this. Lol

 

Harry

Lautenmummy, The Fossil...

 

Cryptkeeper

Treacherous scumbag... he should be in jail, not the Senate.

Shovel-Ready Project

Shovel-Ready Project

 

Love it!

He is the original Mr. Burns, there is SOMETHING propping him up and making him appear alive. Voodoo? Demonic possession? R&D budget of NIH? Cloning? Cryofreezing? Vampirism?

Why won't he CROAK???

Another thing he fails to mention is that our soldiers can protect themselves with full auto, tanks, gunships, laser guided bombs, etc if need be. We cant even buy a bb pistol without 2 background checks.

Today we started a facebook bum rush on our US Senators facebook page and I would like to make this a weekly event where every week, we choose one or two NJ politicians or political candidates to plaster their walls with the will of us, the people of NJ, with our pro-gun, pro-CCW, pro-2nd Amendment agendas and pass it on to all of our friends, families and colleagues.

 

 

 

We will continue this until the Nov elections and perhaps beyond if one happens to make stupid comments or engages in lies, misinformation or scare tactics, so that they know we will not tolerate such behavior. We have tried endlessly to write to them and call them, but it is simple to double talk us and ignore us if only them or their staffs are aware of our contact. We have this wonderful media, so lets use it to OUR advantage and make public everything they do in regards to stripping us of our rights as American citizens.....

Our Goal for today is for everyone to "Nicely & Politely" post on Senator Lautenberg's wall explaining our thoughts and views on CCW in NJ.

 

Click here for Senator Lautenberg's Facebook page

be sure to include "factual" comments as a requirement for the comments on his wall....

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If i may add, we now have 235 signature's on our NJ CCW Petition. That we will forward to him early november as our numbers increase.

 

Click here to sign the NJ CCW Petition

we need to keep flooding his FB with comments on this! he needs to go out to pasture