Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, spoke in strong opposition to the GOP-sponsored H.R. 822, which some call the Packing Heat on Your Street Act, which would override state-level policies on gun control and concealed carry permits.  Nadler had sought to offer two amendments to the bill, which would have limited concealed carry rights for suspected terrorists and sex offenders of children.

“The disconnect between the Republican House Majority and the American people is beyond belief.  It is no wonder that Congress’s approval rating is 13 percent, according to the latest Gallup poll,” said Nadler.  “Millions of people are out of work.  Our growth rate is anemic.  People are clamoring for Congress to pass legislation to grow the economy and help create jobs.  And so what is the House of Representatives doing?  This august body is considering…gun legislation.” 

Nadler’s statement, as prepared, follows below:

“Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 822 – what the Brady Campaign correctly calls the Packing Heat on Your Street bill. 

“Madam Speaker, America is in dire economic straits.  Millions of people are out of work.  Our growth rate is anemic.  People are clamoring for Congress to pass legislation to grow the economy and help create jobs.  And so what is the House of Representatives doing?  This august body is considering…gun legislation. 

“The disconnect between the Republican House Majority and the American people is beyond belief.  It is no wonder that Congress’s approval rating is 13 percent, according to the latest Gallup poll. 

“Not only are we wasting our time on this issue, but what the bill does should scare every American.  H.R. 822, as amended in the Judiciary Committee, would let a person with a valid concealed carry permit take his or her weapon into any other state of which they are not a resident regardless of the laws of those other states.  State laws on both gun possession and concealed carry would be overridden. 

“Thus, this bill takes away the rights of the citizens of each state to set their own gun control policy.  For a Republican House Majority that supposedly believes in states’ rights, the effect of this bill is shocking.

“So, for example, some states require firearms training or require people to be over 21 years old to have a concealed carry permit.  All such rules would be tossed aside by this new, federal mandate. 

“I tried to protect states by filing an amendment with the Rules Committee which would have created an exception to the bill and let states enforce laws against persons convicted of sex offenses against minors from possessing guns or having concealed weapons.  That amendment was not made in order.  I guess it was more important to satisfy the gun lobby than it was to make sure our kids were protected from violent predators.

“To the extent that states want to allow their citizens to enter other states with concealed weapons, they can do so by entering into reciprocity agreements.  And, many states have done so.  But, why would we force those that have not, or which have chosen to end reciprocity agreements due to the lax standards of another state, to accept the concealed carry permit of every other state?  It makes no sense.

“Because any permit would suffice, this bill will create a race to the bottom, with whatever state has the most permissive concealed carry rules setting national policy.  In some states, you don’t even have to be a resident to get a concealed carry permit.  This lowest common denominator approach will only lead to more people carrying more hidden weapons – packing heat on your street.  Knowing there are more concealed handguns all around does not make me feel safer.

“Lastly, I want to address the constitutional argument.  In Heller, the Supreme Court did hold there is a Second Amendment right for persons to bear arms.  Nowhere did it say, however, there was an unlimited national right to carry a concealed handgun.  In fact, Justice Scalia recognized the legality of reasonable limits on the Second Amendment – I can’t imagine a more reasonable restriction for states to impose than those which govern who can carry a concealed firearm.

“I ask that Members reject this deeply flawed and dangerous bill.  I yield back the balance of my time.”

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