On the recordDecember 5, 2017
This year we are again experiencing terrible gun violence that destroys lives, tears apart families, devastates communities, and is leaving a stain on our Nation. Sadly, after thousands of senseless deaths, after Sandy Hook, after the Pulse nightclub, after Las Vegas, and after so many more, this body has taken no action, just the now tragically routine moments of silence and then back to business as usual. But this week Congress will, in fact, take action, action making it easier for dangerous people to carry concealed guns throughout the country. It is inconceivable to me that this bill is what comes to the floor from the debate about gun safety. Concealed carry reciprocity allows people from States with the loosest safety standards or no safety standards at all to carry a firearm across the country irrespective of local laws. I will give one example. In my State of Illinois, people who have two DUIs within 5 years cannot get a concealed carry permit. But this bill would override our State law, rendering our and every other State legislature virtually helpless to protect their own citizens. I rise today in strong opposition to the reckless and dangerous concealed carry reciprocity bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. ____________________
