John Thune

Posted: July 18th 2009

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

A U.S. senator is pushing for a law that would let concealed-weapons-permit holders carry their guns in nearly every state, but gun-control advocates are blasting the idea.

One Utah supporter likes the idea, but concedes it is likely doomed. 

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is proposing an amendment to a major defense bill that would require any state that issues concealed-weapons permits to honor those from any other state.

Currently, 48 states permit concealed weapons; Wisconsin and Illinois are the only two that do not. Thirty-three states recognize Utah's concealed-weapons permit.

"I believe that a state's border should not be a limit on this fundamental right," Thune said, "and that law-abiding individuals should be guaranteed their Second Amendment rights without complication as they travel throughout the 48 states that currently permit some form of conceal and carry."

But a handful of gun-control groups -- the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, and Violence Policy Center -- issued a joint statement criticizing Thune's amendment, saying it would undermine state laws and result in more guns on the street.

"Concealed carry laws do not, as their proponents argue, aid police and enhance public safety. Instead, they threaten law enforcement and arm criminals," the statement said. "States should be acting to repeal these laws instead of Congress moving to expand their deadly reach."

The groups argued that several states have minimal requirements to get a permit, and studies have shown loopholes in other states that have granted permits to felons or others who shouldn't have had one. If Thune's proposal is adopted, the groups argue, those flawed systems essentially would become the national standard.

Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, said the Beehive State's permit is the "de facto national permit right now," and its background-check system is swamped with out-of-state applicants. While 33 states recognize Utah's permits, Thune's amendment would require 15 others to follow suit -- a positive move, Aposhian said.

"A driver's license is accepted [in other states]. All these other types of professional licenses that are not protected by the Second Amendment, which are not fundamental rights," are accepted, he added. "Why shouldn't the right of lawful self defense continue across the states' borders?"

Thune's amendment likely will be debated when the Senate reconvenes next week, but Aposhian said similar efforts have failed in the past and, given the new Democratic dominance in Congress, this one also is likely to fizzle.

Thune is also sponsoring a separate bill to accomplish the same goal, a measure that is co-sponsored by Utah Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett. ...