On the recordNovember 16, 2011
I am strongly opposed to the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. This misguided bill is unworkable in practice and will compromise officer safety and public security. Furthermore, this bill flagrantly treads on the rights of states to legislate and enforce public security within their own states. It is very troubling that at the very time where we all have the responsibility to be more aware of our public security, my colleagues have introduced a bill that values Wild West ``shoot 'em up'' swagger over reasonable measures to protect public safety. This bill will make it easier for criminal gun traffickers to travel to gun markets across the country with loaded weapons, without concern for any police scrutiny. Gun traffickers who have concealed carry permits would be able to bring cars or backpacks full of loaded guns into destination states and simply present their permit if stopped. As a practical matter, to arrest the traffickers, law enforcement would have to observe them in the act of selling guns. Far too many U.S.- purchased weapons make it into the hands of criminals in Latin America, and H.R. 822 would only exacerbate this problem. Mr. Chair, while I support gun rights for law abiding citizens for sport and collection, I simply cannot support this bill.…
