Mayor's Posse Heads Off Pistol-Packin' Senate Bill

The Chief-Leader/Tommy Hallissey LASSOING BILL BEFORE THE PASS: Mayor Bloomberg warns of the potential harm in an amended bill that would have allowed persons licensed to carry concealed weapons in other states to possess them here, hours before the measure narrowly failed in the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. Senate July 22 voted down a piece of legislation, which Mayor Bloomberg called "an anti-police, progun trafficker bill," that would have reduced gun-carry restrictions in New York and other states.

The Thune Amendment would have lowered the bar for gun-carry permits by forcing states and localities across the country to permit individuals licensed in other states to carry hidden and loaded handguns in public despite their own state laws prohibiting it. The measure fell two short of the 60 votes needed to pass.

Mayor: 'A Major Victory'

"The defeat of the Thune Amendment is a major victory for the right of states to set their own public safety laws and for the bi-partisan coalition of Mayor's Against Illegal Guns," Mr. Bloomberg said. "The vast majority of states have set minimum requirements for obtaining a permit to carry a concealed gun, and Congress should respect those laws instead of trying to usurp them."

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who fought against the bill, said, "Lives have been saved with the defeat of this amendment. The passage of this amendment would have done more to threaten the safety of New Yorkers than anything since the repeal of the assault weapons ban. If this had passed, it would have created havoc for law enforcement and endangered the safety of millions of New Yorkers."

New York's junior Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, stated, "It is simply 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."

In the days preceding the vote, Mr. Bloomberg framed his argument against the bill around an assertion that the measure sponsored by Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota would trump states' rights by allowing the laws of the state that issued the permit to override those of the jurisdiction of arrest. New York has stricter gun-control laws than most states.

'Gun-Trafficker Empowerment Bill'

Hours before the vote, the Mayor held a press conference at City Hall where he lambasted the legislation flanked by Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch.

"In fact, it should be called the guntrafficker empowerment bill," Mr. Bloomberg said.

Mr. Kelly said the bill would make police officers' jobs harder and more dangerous. "In my 40-year career in law enforcement, I don't think I have ever seen such a misguided piece of legislation," he said, adding that if passed the Thune Amendment would "compromise and undercut" the city's recent reduction in crime by bringing an "untold" number of guns to New York.

Mr. Lynch said, "I think it is extremely important for New York City police officers to know that if there is a concealed weapon under the jacket of a man or woman on the street that there is a shield to go with it or a permit.

'A Safety Issue'

"It's extremely important not only to my members but to each and every one of our families that we know what guns are on the street. It's a safety issue. It's a right and wrong issue."

Jersey City Mayor Healy, whose city recently mourned a police officer who was fatally shot in the face July 16, said, "The amazing thing is that the vicious predator who shot and killed our police officer six days ago—if the Thune amendment had passed and he could carry that gun concealed in another state— when he carried that killing shotgun weapon under flowing robes that he wore, he could do that with impunity in Jersey City or anyplace else."