Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement after his bipartisan amendment that would allow individuals to lawfully carry concealed firearms across state lines so long as the laws of the host state are obeyed was defeated by a vote of 58 to 39:
"Today, overheated rhetoric and fearmongering overcame common sense. My amendment would allow responsible firearms owners to protect themselves while obeying the firearms laws of the states they visit. The individual right to self-defense should not end at the state line. Despite today's defeat, this amendment had bipartisan support and I hope the Senate will reconsider this important issue in the future."
Senator Thune's amendment would not change or nullify any existing state concealed weapons laws. Individuals traveling outside of the state where there permit is issued must comply with all laws of the host state, or face prosecution. Despite the support of a majority of the Senate, including 20 Democrats, the amendment required 60 votes for passage.
The Thune Amendment is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Max Baucus (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Richard Burr (R-NC), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim DeMint (R-SC), John Ensign (R-NV), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA),Mike Johanns (R-NE), John McCain (R-AZ), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), David Vitter (R-LA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS)
"Today, overheated rhetoric and fearmongering overcame common sense. My amendment would allow responsible firearms owners to protect themselves while obeying the firearms laws of the states they visit. The individual right to self-defense should not end at the state line. Despite today's defeat, this amendment had bipartisan support and I hope the Senate will reconsider this important issue in the future."
Senator Thune's amendment would not change or nullify any existing state concealed weapons laws. Individuals traveling outside of the state where there permit is issued must comply with all laws of the host state, or face prosecution. Despite the support of a majority of the Senate, including 20 Democrats, the amendment required 60 votes for passage.
The Thune Amendment is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Max Baucus (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Richard Burr (R-NC), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim DeMint (R-SC), John Ensign (R-NV), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA),Mike Johanns (R-NE), John McCain (R-AZ), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jon Tester (D-MT), David Vitter (R-LA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS)