July, 22 2009, 02:44pm EDT
Senate Rejects Amendment to Weaken Hidden Handgun Laws
WASHINGTON
The U.S. Senate voted today to defeat the Thune Amendment (No. 1618) to the FY 2010 defense authorization bill (S. 1390). The amendment, co-sponsored by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA), would have required states to accept concealed handgun permits that are issued by other states. The practical effect of this change would have been to reduce concealed carry permit regulations in the United States to the lowest common denominator. Many states have weak laws and issue individuals permits after only a simple computerized background check-through a federal database that is missing millions of disqualifying criminal and mental health records.
Several states screen concealed carry permit applicants more rigorously in the interest of public safety. For example, at least 35 states prevent people from carrying concealed weapons if they have certain misdemeanor convictions; 31 states prohibit alcohol abusers from obtaining a concealed carry permit; and 31 states require the completion of a gun safety program prior to the issuance of a permit. Under the Thune Amendment, individuals from states that do not have these safeguards would have been able to carry handguns into states that do.
On behalf of the 48 national organizations that comprise the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, we would like to express our gratitude to the Senators who voted against the Thune Amendment and stood up to the National Rifle Association. We also would like to thank the thousands of grassroots activists across the country who worked so hard to defeat this dangerous legislation.
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) is a 501(c)(4) organization that was founded in 1974. We seek to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy. Our organizational structure is unique among national gun violence prevention organizations. CSGV is composed of 47 national organizations working to reduce gun violence.
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Despite 100% Pentagon Audit Failure Rate, House Passes $883.7 Billion NDAA
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Despite the Pentagon's repeated failures to pass audits and various alarming policies, 81 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives voted with 200 Republicans on Wednesday to advance a $883.7 billion annual defense package.
The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, unveiled by congressional negotiators this past Saturday, still needs approval from the Senate, which is expected to vote next week. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Wednesday that he plans to vote no and spoke out against the military-industrial complex.
The push to pass the NDAA comes as this congressional session winds down and after the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced last month that it had failed yet another audit—which several lawmakers highlighted after the Wednesday vote.
Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), co-chairs and co-founders of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, said in a joint statement, "Time and time again, Congress seems to be able to find the funds necessary to line the pockets of defense contractors while neglecting the problems everyday Americans face here at home."
"Instead of fighting the rising cost of healthcare, gas, or groceries, this Congress prioritized rewarding the wealthy and well-connected military-industrial complex with even more unaccountable funds," they continued. "After a seventh failed audit in a row, it's disappointing that our amendment to hold the Pentagon accountable by penalizing the DOD's budget by 0.5% for each failed audit was stripped out of the final bill. It's time Congress demanded accountability from the Pentagon."
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Several of the 124 House Democrats who voted against the NDAA cited those "culture war" policies, in addition to concerns about how the Pentagon spends massive amounts of money that could go toward improving lives across the country.
"Once again, Congress has passed a massive military authorization bill that prioritizes endless military spending over the critical needs of American families. This year's NDAA designates $900 billion for military spending," said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), noting the audit failures. "While I recognize the long-overdue 14.5% raise for our lowest-ranking enlisted personnel is important, this bill remains flawed. The bloated military budget continues to take away crucial funding from programs that could help millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet."
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