Once A ‘States’ Rights’ Proponent, Thune Now Pushes Gun Law That Would ‘Shoot Holes In State Sovereignty’
Once A ‘States’ Rights’ Proponent, Thune Now Pushes Gun Law That Would ‘Shoot Holes In State Sovereignty’
Around noon today, the Senate is expected to take up and vote on an amendment sponsored by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to allow individuals “who have concealed carry permits from the State in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State that grants concealed carry permits.”
This amendment would, in effect, mean that states with the weakest laws will set the law for all other states. In so doing, it would strip each state’s power to enact its own public safety laws. For instance, 31 states currently prohibit “habitual drunkards” from carrying guns. The Thune amendment would render these provisions useless.
Thune has long claimed to be a supporter of “states’ rights”:
“Republican Rep. John Thune found himself in the minority last week when he voted against a five-year extension of a ban on Internet taxes. … ‘I think this is partly an attack on states’ rights.’” [AP, 5/13/00]
“Decisions about South Dakota values should be made by local and state officials – not federal bureaucrats,” Thune said. “My amendment will protect states’ rights and guarantee that Washington bureaucrats do not dictate our values.” [4/29/05]
But, as USA Today notes, Thune’s gun amendment — which is supported by the gun lobby — “shoots holes in state sovereignty.” When asked for comment by ThinkProgress, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg provided us with this statement:
This legislation is impractical for communities and police departments across this country and tramples on states rights. Under current law in most states, if you have certain misdemeanor convictions, are an alcohol abuser, or haven’t completed a gun safety training program, you cannot carry a concealed weapon. This bill would effectively erase those rules. We can’t destroy the common sense safeguards states across the country have put in place. There has been no hearing on this Amendment, which has been tacked onto a defense appropriations bill. Laws should not be passed this way, and I am proud to stand with 450 mayors to try and put a stop to it.
50 mayors in Ohio are running an ad today urging Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) to vote no. Eight North Carolina mayors are doing the same with Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC). Cliff Schecter highlights some more Senators “whose minds need to be changed.”
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Being a strong States’ Righter, I assume Thune will soon be introducing an Amendment requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Right, Thune? The loosest restrictions prevail?
PEACE
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 amAs a gun owner and a woman who has a permit to carry, I have to say this is a terrible idea. The only reason why he is doing this, is because he knows it will split the Democrats. Once again the GOP is doing nothing for the citizens, but for political points. The thought of a bunch of gun carrying thugs crossing state lines fully armed gives me the heebee-jeebees.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 amReagan Republican?
That’s right up there with “thou shalt not commit adultery”.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 amFor the fascists, whatever works for the moment will serve as principle.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 amAnyone who thinks Rove retired from politics and is no longer behind the curtain setting the GNOP’s agenda is delusional.
Divide and conquer! The Rovian stench is overwhelming.
PEACE
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:56 amspencers mom@5, Yeah, the ‘Turd Blossom’ will never go away. He is like a bad rash that pops up every now and then.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:56 amAs Buzzflash put it:
for example:
In Virginia, this would allow convicted criminals to carry weapons onto parks and playgrounds.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 amJust what we need in this desperate climate of teabaggers and the racheting up of the fear – arm the malcontents.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 am*** ** *
tp, love the pic of thune…
“you can say anything with a smile.”
:) :) :)
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 amInstead of moving forward, USA just keeps moving back.
Living life, where every minute you have to worry if someone has a gun. Every minute worring if someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
What a way to live……just sad, reall just sad.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 amOnce A ‘State’s Rights’ Proponent, Thune Now Pushes Gun Law That Would ‘Shoot Holes In State Sovereignty’
– - Next up for the GOP: proposing a bill mandating that all newborns in hospitals are given a gun in their parting baskets.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 amThe majority of Republicans and a handful of Democrats have gone mad. They belong in an insane asylum. I am unable to believe that so many intelligent persons are falling for this, by virtue of the exploding Fox and the other ugly talkers. The whole country has gone bonkers.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:09 amWhat is with these evangelical christians and their crazy lov for guns?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 amEight North Carolina mayors are doing the same with Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).
_____________________________________________________________
Just had to go check to make sure my mayor was one of the eight who signed. He was.
Interesting that the ad was addressed to BOTH our Senators, Hagan and Burr. However, one of the paragraphs was a special appeal to Hagan — pretty much an acknowledgement that there’s hope for her while Burr can be pretty trusted to vote the GOP party line.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 amThis is just asinine and just plan ridicules one this dangerous bill hit the Senate floor and be rejected, Thune and the Repukelicans will go out and accuse Obama of taking away the 2nd amendment.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 amjoe – I saw him on tv last night and between the fake tan and the fake smile – ick.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 amBadmoodman@11, Don’t forget that idiot car dealer who wants to give people who buy pick-up trucks AKA semi-automatic rifles. Nothing says ‘America’ better than a fully loaded weapon.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 amLeslieBurton says:
WWJC? What Would Jesus Carry?
PEACE
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 amWell if you’re going to Missouri for the AK you HAVE to get a Glock and carry it on the drive back to SD.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am***
mary,
rep. john campbell, (r), (b),
working the crazy ass smile too.
:|
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 amIf this amendment passes (and since it’s to be tacked onto a defense spending bill, approval of the amendment means it surely will), I suspect more than one state will bring this up with the Supreme Court as unconstitutional, since it would effectively nullify their right to set their gun control bar wherever they want.
And then the Supreme Court will be put in the position of validating the rights of states to make their own gun control laws, or they will take an NRA interpretation of the second amendment and do away with gun control laws altogether.
If this amendment isn’t shot down now, I expect the battle will be a long one.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 amAgain, it’s time for Democrats to go on the offense!
I want to hear Democrats flood the airwaves with things like, “Republicans want to put your children in danger just to win a few votes! Do you want armed, convicted criminals sharing the playground with your children?! No! Of course you don’t. We, the Democratic party, are looking out for the SAFETY of the American people!”
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 amAnd, of course, one state could not possibly be expected to recognize a marriage entered in another state because of, you know, the gays.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 amStates’ rights have been outbid!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:20 am50 mayors in Ohio are running an ad today urging Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) to vote no. Eight North Carolina mayors are doing the same with Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).
___________
Interesting… I wonder if DC mayor Adrian Fenty is going to also urge Eleanor Holmes Norton to —
oh, right…
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 amAlso, wasn’t there talk at one point of a “germane amendment” rule that would prevent people slipping unrelated crap like this into must-pass bills? Whatever happened with that?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 amStates’ rights is the knuckledragger’s weapon of choice when protecting incidences of shooting rampages, homophobia, racism, regressive taxation, poor education, and the ability of greedy corporations to move on to pillage other states when they don’t feel like paying taxes.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 amWe should pass a law that because of the budget crisis enabled by the current Repugs and Blue Dogs all members of Congress must carry a firearm and protect themselves as taxpayers can no longer afford to provide security for them. If its’ truly “the people’s house” let these guys defend themselves against the rabble they like to rouse with 2nd Adm. hysteria.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 amPander much, Mr. Thune?
He’s just another effing slimeball opportunist. He’s for state’s rights if he perceives some sort of edge for himself in it. Federal, if it goes the other way.
And to think the electorate of SD traded a perfectly good politician (Tom Daschle) in on this bozo…
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 amIT’S ALWAYS ABOUT MONEY & GREED WITH REPUBLICANS, ALWAYS! So if you are looking for a reason as to why a Republican does anything, including changing his stance (even if it means going against what his contiuents want), just follow the $.
That begs the question then, “So how much have Pro-Gun groups contributed to Senator Thune since he’s been in office?”
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 amHe’s a repiggie. He just does what he is told to do from his party higher-ups.
No one could ever accuse that man of being a thinker, or a lover of liberty.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 amThe years may go by, but it’s still the era of Watergate: Follow the money.
PEACE
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 amThis is just political theater by Thune. He is just playing to all of the right wing extremists and the NRA crowd who have over taken the republican party. Nothing more.
The average, normal American could give a damn about this bill as there are more pressing issues we face but leave it to these treaonist republicans to distract, divide all to get the support of the growing extremists, secessionists, NRAers, conspiracy theorists and nutjobs who remain loyal to the republican regime
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 amspencers mom says:
Anyone who thinks Rove retired from politics and is no longer behind the curtain setting the GNOP’s agenda is delusional.
Divide and conquer! The Rovian stench is overwhelming.
PEACE
Karl Rove: the political equivalent of genital herpes…
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 amjoe cantwell says:
***
mary,
rep. john campbell, (r), (b),
working the crazy ass smile too.
:|
I think he looks quite sincere joe!
:P
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 amRepublicans have always been very strong on states’ rights — just as long as it is convenient. When Oregon passed Death with Dignity laws (twice) the GOP administration went hysterical and claimed federal sovereignty. Ditto medical marijuana laws.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 amHm, on the other hand, go for it, Mr. Thune. Open the flood gates.
I’ve wanted to trick my pick-up truck out as a Somali “technical” for some time, so with the eventual end result of your legislation, I ought to be able to get a really tasty heavy machine gun to complet the rig.
Then there’s this nest of rePublicrite vipers down the road that are in serious need of having a pre-emptive strike laid in on ‘em.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 amSo when the first shooting happens thanks to this insane amendment will the victims be able to sue Thune?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:41 amThat begs the question then, “So how much have Pro-Gun groups contributed to Senator Thune since he’s been in office?”
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
No, dammit, it does NOT “beg the question.” That particular phrase refers to the ancient rhetorical strategyt, Petitio principii, or assuming as true, a priori, that which is to be proven.
What it does do is DEMAND further inquiry.
Thune can’t be any more corrupt than Max Baucus, that paragon of probity who’s taken the Filth…er Fifth, with respect to h is funding sources among the Health Insurance parasites….
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:43 ammary lacewing says:
So when the first shooting happens thanks to this insane amendment will the victims be able to sue Thune?
Unfortunately not. Lawmakers have immunity from lawsuits derived from their official duties. :(
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 amevangenital says:
He’s a repiggie. He just does what he is told to do from his party higher-ups.
No one could ever accuse that man of being a thinker, or a lover of liberty.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 am
____________
I, for one, cannot wait for the day when Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is caught having a romp with a transgender prostitute.
You know it’s coming. It has to be. Do you think he’s a C-Streeter?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 amCan I rig my car up with mobile missile launchers? Or maybe just an rpg swivel cannon?
Cool.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 amLefty Liberal says:
mary lacewing says:
So when the first shooting happens thanks to this insane amendment will the victims be able to sue Thune?
Unfortunately not. Lawmakers have immunity from lawsuits derived from their official duties. :(
Well I’ve heard that Thune may run for president. At the very least perhaps this could keep him from doing that successfully. He creeps me out – such a phony!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 amWhat I want to know is why is Harry Reid allowing bills like this to even make it out of committee? During the 6 years of Republican rule in Congress, they did not allow even one Democratically sponsored bill to come out of committee. I don’t advocate the Democrats do the same in it’s entirety, but on bills like this, I think that Reid should have stopped it in committee and not allowed it to come out to the floor.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 amWill Sen. Thune vote for an amendment that allows same sex marriages recognized in six states to be recognized in states where marriage is recognized?
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pmLet me get this straight. They monitor BOOKS people check out but want laissez-faire gun movement?
Crazies: Let’s have free gun movement over Mexico’s border, too. Self-defense.
And it’s dangerous tracking peace groups across states so ya gotta pack heat.
If truckers want to defend themselves, what happened to a bat or something? Or a wrench? If you face such long odds you need a pistol, it’s probably better to give up and call the cops.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:09 pmThe law doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Just more grandstanding to stir up the NRA.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pmRepubs just don’t get the sick irony of carrying guns that kill everywhere, while claiming to be pro-life. What pathetic people.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 pmThere are many deadly ironies in the gun law debates, & here’s another one: lots of folks say they need a gun for protection, yet a Taser provides much better protection than a gun because the Taser immediately disables a person who is hit — the shooter doesn’t even have to be a good shot — whereas a person with a gunshot wound (even a potentially fatal one) is not always disabled &/or disarmed.
However, in both states where I have homes (Florida & New York), & no doubt many more, it’s illegal for a private citizen to own a Taser, even tho it is not usually a deadly weapon & it can be a lifesaver.
As a moral person, I’d sure rather Taze a home invader than shoot him dead, but where I live, the moral option is not a legal one.
The Constant Weader at http://www.RealityChex.com
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm#50. republicans hate facts says: Americans didn’t own guns until the RISE of the KKK. The entire GUN DEBATE is nothing more than a VEILED RACIST MOVEMENT from the KKKrackers
Don’t be silly, rhf. Americans were killing other people with their own and government supplied guns long before the KKK showed up.
Speaking of veils though, it’s good of the KKK to wear burqas; covers everything but the nastiness.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm#52. republicans hate facts says: … Don’t be a MORON, except for HUNTING RIFLES on the FRONTIER very few Americans owned guns before the CIVIL WAR and the RISE of the KKK AFTERWORDS. Your IGNORANCE of HISTORY doesn’t make you RIGHT – it makes you an IDIOT!
From the 1860s on, gun ownership increased sharply. Millions of men came home from the Civil War with their weapons; and firearms were even more widely distributed in the era of cheap pot metal guns (the “two dollar pistol”) that followed.
Virtual Pebble says:
Speaking of veils though, it’s good of the KKK to wear burqas; covers everything but the nastiness.
(rhf sez) What’s YOUR EXCUSE?
rhf. You don’t need to yell at me. I may be ignorant but I’m not illiterate. I take it you’re an advocate of Michael Bellesiles’ thesis as set forth in his “Arming America”; I’m not. He has been criticized for his research methodology, but I simply think he drew an incorrect inference from sparse data. I haven’t read his book. I might at some point, but I might not; my interests are elsewhere. Aside from that, I don’t have a dog in the gun control/anti-gun control fight. I don’t belong to the NRA or any other such organization nor am I a troll etc etc.
On the other hand, thank you for reminding me of the depth and breadth of my ignorance. Why, if it weren’t for the occasional Good Samaritan, such as yourself, I’d just be flat ignorant, not only about everything else, but of my ignorance too.
On a somewhat subtler matter, I apologize for not putting a /snark after my burqa comment. You can put a stinking turd in a satin robe with mystic geegaws, but it’s still a stinking turd, and a KKKoward in a Klan burka doth stink in similar fashion. It’s the stench of a hate-zombie brain in full decomposition…
have a nice day.
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