Prosecutors Against Gun Violence is Holding “Two-Day Emergency Summit” Today and Wednesday in Washington
Prosecutors Against Gun Violence Will Also Hold a Press Conference Tomorrow Morning at 9:30 a.m. in Dirksen G-11, as the U.S. House of Representatives Begins Markup on the NRA’s Number One Priority, “Concealed Carry Reciprocity”
NEW YORK – Everytown for Gun Safety today released the following statement as the National Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) sent a letter to congressional leaders outlining their opposition to “concealed carry reciprocity,” a dangerous bill that would gut state gun laws.
Prosecutors Against Gun Violence will hold a press conference tomorrow morning in part to oppose “concealed carry reciprocity” as the House marks up H.R. 38, the “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017.”
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“We’re glad so many prosecutors are joining the growing chorus opposing the gun lobby’s top priority, ‘concealed carry reciprocity.’ This reckless legislation would weaken state gun laws and allow people with dangerous histories and no training to carry hidden, loaded handguns across the country. Congress must listen to law enforcement and the American public and reject the NRA’s dangerous priorities.”
“Concealed carry reciprocity” would force every state to accept the standards of every other state, including states with much weaker standards or, in some cases, no standards. In fact, 12 “permitless carry” states do not even require a permit or background check for a person to carry a concealed handgun in public, while 19 states do not require gun safety training. Under current law, every state determines its own standards for concealed carry, and no state should be forced to recognize the concealed carry standards of other states.
From our nation’s law enforcement to attorneys general to mayors, opposition to “concealed carry reciprocity” is widespread. Last month, a group of seventeen attorneys general released a letter opposing the policy. The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, which includes many of the nation’s largest law enforcement organizations, and the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors have also opposed “concealed carry reciprocity.”
Additionally, a Pew survey released in June found that 81 percent of Americans oppose allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit — and “concealed carry reciprocity” would force states to allow concealed carry by many people with no permit.