Concealed handgun permit holders killed at least seven police officers and 44 private citizens in 31 incidents between May 2007 and April 2009, said a study issued today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC), a gun control advocacy group. The U.S. Senate is expected to take up today an amendment to the defense authorization bill that would create a de facto national concealed carry system, overriding the rights of states with more restrictive laws governing the carrying of concealed handguns. The amendment is sponsored by Senator John Thune (R-SD).
Six gun-control groups–VPC and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Freedom States Alliance, Legal Community Against Violence, and States United to Prevent Gun Violence said, “It is an outrage that in a year thus far defined by gun violence-from massacres, to the murder of police, to hate crimes-the U.S. Senate is preparing to consider an amendment that would dramatically weaken federal and state gun laws. The practical effect of the amendment would be to reduce concealed carry permit regulations to the lowest common denominator. Currently, many states have weak laws and issue residents permits after only a simple computerized background check.”