Mike Thompson: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this dangerous bill. I asked my local law…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this dangerous bill. I asked my local law enforcement what they thought of folks from out of State who don't meet our local requirements coming into our communities with loaded concealed firearms. These are the folks who are on the front lines of fighting gun violence, and we should listen to what they have to say. Our Sonoma County sheriff opposes this bill and says it would negatively affect our community and put citizens and his deputies in greater danger. The chief of police from my hometown in St. Helena said: As a lifelong proponent of the ability to own, possess, and carry firearms within the provisions of the law, I am wholeheartedly against H.R. 38. Like many of us, he asks: How long will it take before someone who can't meet the legal requirements to concealed carry in California goes to some other State with little or no standards and gets a permit from that State? Our chief of police in Martinez opposes this bill and says that it is a race to the bottom. Overwhelmingly, law enforcement in my district strongly oppose this bill. Moreover, there is a reason no major law enforcement organizations have come out in support of this bill. It is dangerous, and it is unnecessary. I think my colleagues should stand with law enforcement--the people that keep us and our families safe--and oppose this bill.…”