alan
Member
As readers might already know, H.R. 218, which authorizes retired and or former police officers and others, to carry concealed handguns throughout the nation passed The House yesterday. This was accomplished by an unrecorded voice vote, under a suspension of the rules, according to thomas.loc.gov. On The Senate side, we have S. 253, two versions, both of which list Mr. Santorum of Pennsylvania, our junior senator, as a sponsor. Nothing was indicated re the position of Mr. Specter, the senior senator.
Interestingly, while the following is I suppose arguable, both bills send the following message to the law-abiding population of this country, in particular to that portion thereof that are licensed by their states of residence, to carry concealed arms. That a small segment of the citizenry are, based on former occupations, having been government employees (police/LE personnel) are deemed somehow more trustworthy than are that other mentioned segment of the population, people licensed to carry concealed arms. Please note that this latter segment of the population is at least equally, if not more law abiding than are retired police officers. These proposals might well send other messages too, but leave that for another day.
Stranger yet, Spoke this afternoon with NRA/ILA, and was informed that while they found aspects of this legislation questionable, they were NEUTRAL on it. Go figure that one out, if you can.
In any event, Pennsylvanians might well make note of Senator Santorum's sponsorship of this most questionable proposal, and perhaps contact his offices with a view to making their feelings on the matter known to him. Other interested parties might check thomas.loc.gov, where under S. 253, they might see if their senators are amongst this bill's sponsors, taking such action, as they might find appropriate.
Interestingly, while the following is I suppose arguable, both bills send the following message to the law-abiding population of this country, in particular to that portion thereof that are licensed by their states of residence, to carry concealed arms. That a small segment of the citizenry are, based on former occupations, having been government employees (police/LE personnel) are deemed somehow more trustworthy than are that other mentioned segment of the population, people licensed to carry concealed arms. Please note that this latter segment of the population is at least equally, if not more law abiding than are retired police officers. These proposals might well send other messages too, but leave that for another day.
Stranger yet, Spoke this afternoon with NRA/ILA, and was informed that while they found aspects of this legislation questionable, they were NEUTRAL on it. Go figure that one out, if you can.
In any event, Pennsylvanians might well make note of Senator Santorum's sponsorship of this most questionable proposal, and perhaps contact his offices with a view to making their feelings on the matter known to him. Other interested parties might check thomas.loc.gov, where under S. 253, they might see if their senators are amongst this bill's sponsors, taking such action, as they might find appropriate.