Conyers: Concealed Gun Carry Should Not Be Allowed Across State Lines

For Immediate Release

Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 

Contact: Matthew Morgan – 202-226-5543

             

Conyers: Concealed Gun Carry Should Not Be Allowed Across State Lines

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.”  The bill would override the laws of almost every state by obligating each to accept concealed handgun carry permits from every other state, even if the permit holder would not be allowed to obtain such a permit or carry a gun in the state in which he or she is traveling.  House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement in response to the hearing:

“This bill would endanger citizens in states across the country, including my home state of Michigan, because it would allow people from other states who do not meet the requirements of local laws for a concealed carry permit to carry concealed handguns,” Conyers said.  “Each state must be allowed to make critical public safety determinations like these without Congress overruling them.  For example, the chances of being murdered for African American males in Detroit between ages 15 and 24 have risen rapidly in recent years, and nationally, almost 300 African American youth aged 15 to 24 are injured by gun fire each week.  We must do more to fight violent gun crimes instead of making it easier for people to carry handguns in violation of our local laws.”

A long list of law enforcement and government associations oppose H.R. 822.  This list includes  Mayors Against Illegal Guns; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which includes the Police Chiefs of 56 major U.S. cities; the Police Foundation; National Latino Peace Officers Association; and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.