Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement urging her colleagues to oppose the concealed carry amendment introduced by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, which would undercut a state’s ability to decide who can legally carry a concealed weapon:
“I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful measure and side in favor of law enforcement and state’s rights. I strongly believe that the gun laws that are right for New York are not necessarily right for South Dakota, and vice versa.
“It is wrong for the federal government to overrule a state’s ability to enact reasonable, constitutional gun laws designed to prevent criminals and other violent and dangerous persons from carrying guns in city streets.
“This legislation would move concealed carry permitting to a new national lowest common denominator. Incredibly, this bill would even allow individuals ineligible for a permit in their own state to shop around for lower standards in the many states that offer permits to out-of-state residents, undercutting laws that would otherwise render the applicant ineligible.
“I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me and stand up for the safety of our communities.”