Senate Proceeding on Jul 20th, 2009 :: 3:59:05 to 4:25:05
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3:59:05 to 4:25:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Frank Lautenberg

3:59:22 to 3:59:43( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: went to the moon thisime. and one named buzz aldrin who lived in the town of jersey, a town that i inhabited. mrs. hutchison: i thank the senator from new jersey because, of course, buzz aldrin is going to be at that commemoration tomorrow and has been one of the leaders in trying make sure that

3:59:44 to 4:00:04( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: america does not flag in its enthusiasm and commitment to space exploration and all that it will bring us. so i thank you for rembering buzz aldrin as well, because he was a great astronaut and one of the leaders still today for that very important mission. mr. lautenberg:

4:00:05 to 4:00:26( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: say to the senator from texas -- simple mission. but now, as we study it more thoroughly and realize what conditions were like there and the very soil, dust that existed was threatening to humanity, to the person, to the machinery, to

4:00:27 to 4:00:48( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: the ship that took them there, to the spaceship that took them there. it was a remarkable thing, join the distinguished senator from texas in this tribute. mrs. hutchison: madam president, well-said. i thank the senator from new jersey. mr. lautenberg: thank you.

4:00:49 to 4:01:12( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: madam president, this past friday, five policemen from a city in new jersey -- jersey city -- were shot by a single gunman. on wednesday -- the previous?w wednesday -- only a few hundred

4:01:36 to 4:01:58( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: om south dakota. he's offered an amendment that would gut state public safety laws and make it easier to carry concealed weapons across state lines, regardless of the laws of that state. currently, 48 states do allow

4:01:59 to 4:02:20( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: some sort of concealed carried weapons. the standards vary from state to state based on each state's law enforcement needs and challenges. but under this new idea, this amendment would pmit a concealed carry permit from one state to simply

4:02:21 to 4:02:42( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: rules in other states. if i get a permit in state "a" i can go to stateb," "c," "d" wherever i want to. and i dot think that in any

4:02:43 to 4:03:05( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: way it matters how many g carries. understand this thoroughly, that despite your state's law on availality congress would override it. congress the federal government to tell you what to do. that's really unusual because i

4:03:06 to 4:03:27( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: think the presenter of this amendment is more often a states' rights person. to be able to override states' laws and make your own state follow this mandate. and it would deprive your state

4:03:28 to 4:03:50( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: from making its own decisions on the issue. your constituents would not be able to say, we don't want this to happen. in fact, this amendment would allow some people to carry concealed assault weapons, multifiring -- multishell firing weapons in states where those

4:03:51 to 4:04:11( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: assault weapons are not even permitted. madam president, the amendment before us is more about the right of states to make their own decisions about how they keep their families in their states safe from gun violence. this amendment would allow almost anyone anywhere to carry a concealed firearm regardless

4:04:34 to 4:04:54( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: would like to go regardless of what those states' laws are, because under this amendment, it's clear - again, if you've got a license from -- a permit from a state from the far west and you want to carry it of our country, you can do so.

4:04:55 to 4:05:15( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: just take away the public safety laws in that state and essentially erase the fact that they are now on the logs. the governments -- the amendment declares to state governments that you don't know how to take care of yourselves. the gun lobby in washington is the best place to go to find out

4:05:16 to 4:05:38( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: what and we can't tolerate such an insult. here are some of the sta concealed weapon permits that would be wiped out by the that amendment. 18 states prohibit alcohol abusers from receiving carry permits, including south

4:05:39 to 4:06:00( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: carolina, by the way, and und the thune amendment -- or, south dakota, forgive under the thune amendment, these 18 states wouldave to allow alcohol abusers from other states to carry their weapon into their state, a weapon into their state. 24 states prohibit those convicted of certain misdemeanor

4:06:01 to 4:06:22( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: crimes from getting permits, including pennsylvania, which does not allow those convicted of officer to carry concealed weapons. under this amendment, those prohibitions would be violated. 19 states require those seeking

4:06:23 to 4:06:43( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: concealed carry permits to complete gun safety programs. under t states would have to allow untrained, untested gun users from other states to carry concealed firearms. this is an outrage. the proponents of this amendment claim they're respecting each

4:06:44 to 4:07:05( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: state's concealed carry simply not true. not only does the thune amendment override a state's concealed weapons law, it also overrides state laws restric the type of guns that can be supposed in that state, such as assault weapons. think about that. the type of guns that are

4:07:06 to 4:07:28( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: restricted in the state would -- that rule would be you would have to permit the licensed gun owner from a far different state to come in. madam president, i have a letter here from 400

4:07:29 to 4:07:49( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: opposed to the over 450 mayors write -- wrote to the congress and said, "vote no, vote no on the amendment," including mayors -- 106 from pennsylvania, 51 from florida, 50 from ohio, 13 from wisconsin -- the list goes

4:07:50 to 4:08:11( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: from louisiana, from missouri, from south carolina,rom virtually -- from almost every state in the country its they've do this. mayors from all across the country oppose this

4:08:12 to 4:08:32( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: including, as we saw here, 106 from pennsylvania and so forth. and as these mayors explained in their letter, have the ability to decide -- fought?vo have the ability to decide whether to accept concealed carry permits issued by another state. and i ask unamous consent that this letter be included in the

4:08:33 to 4:08:53( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: "congressional record." the presiding officer: without objection. mr. lautenberg: thank you. t-as the mayors make clear -- as the mayors make clear, the thune amendment savages the rights of states to make their own laws. but unfortunately this dangerous amendment doesn't end there. it would unleash total havoc by

4:08:54 to 4:09:14( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: suddenly letting dangerous and unstable people carry weapons into other states and across state lines. supporters of this amendment claim that citizens get their hands on concealed weapons permits. that's not

4:09:15 to 4:09:36( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: over the two-year period two-year period -- concealed carry permit holders killed seven law enforcement officers with guns. in sentinel" did an investigation of concealed carry holders in florida and it found

4:09:37 to 4:09:58( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: that florida granted concealed and carried weapons t 1,400 people who pled guilty for no contest to a gun. 216 people -- think of these numbers -- people without standing warrants -- allowed to carry a gun. 120 people with active

4:09:59 to 4:10:20( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: violence injunctions, and six registered sex offenders. madam hard some years ago -- goes back to 1996 -- gun permits those convicted of a

4:10:21 to 4:10:41( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: misdemeanor, spousal abuse, should be unable to get gun permits. it was scoffed at by some here, who were here at the time, who said, oh, no, this isn't going to matter. it's nothing too -- too serious an i'm pleased to tell you that

4:10:42 to 4:11:03( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: with supreme court affirmation about six weeks ago saying that the law on spousal abusers, prohibition for getting gun permitpermits stood and we had of these people were denied gun permits.

4:11:04 to 4:11:24( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: so when i look at these things, it raises questions. while a sphait like to correct this, should every offenders to carry guns? i don't want it in my state, i'll tell you that.

4:11:25 to 4:11:46( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: mam president, this is reckless amendment that would force states from coast to coast to comply with the laws. a few months ago in alabama a person holding a concealed carried license went on a murderous rampage that lasted almost a full hour two communities.

4:11:47 to 4:12:07( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: first he shot and killed his mother at their -- at coff eflt e county, alabama. once there, he shot and murdered 10 innocent i can't forget that, including two young mothers, a father, and

4:12:08 to 4:12:31( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: an it was later discovered in this issued a concealed weapons permit from the coffee county shire riffs department. a few weeks after his murderous rampage in alabama,

4:12:34 to 4:12:56( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: mr. mcclea mcclendon -- there was a premeditated murder spree in new york. the gunman drove his car to binghamton, new york, and the man burst through the front entrance with two handguns a bagful of ammunition. in what would become the worst mass shooting since virginia

4:12:57 to 4:13:17( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: tec, the killing one receptionist and wounding another. he then entered a classroom where he sprayed gunfire killing 12 more innocent people and wounding seven others. the gunman then committed suicide. the killer was no stranger to guns. he was a firearms enthusiast and even though he had been

4:13:18 to 4:13:38( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: convicted of a held a license to carry concealed wessment the day after, two police officers arrived at a house in pittsburgh to quell a domestic conflict between a man and his mother when the two off entered, they were ambushed and

4:13:39 to 4:13:59( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: killed. the assailant was carrying three armsnd wearing a bulletproof vest and murdered the policeman with an ak-47. minutes later the gunman shot and killed a third officer who arrived at the scene. the attacker held the police at bay for four hours before surrendering.

4:14:00 to 4:14:21( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: it was later killer had been arrested for a domestic -- for domestic abuse against his girlfriend but held a concealed madam president, we have to face up to this. this amendment would let

4:14:22 to 4:14:42( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: brutal people carry concealed weapons legally and not just in their own town or in their own states, but in across state lines. this ament would open the floodgate -- floodgates for gun trafficking. a gun

4:14:43 to 4:15:03( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: to criminals would be free to travel across the country with a car full of loaded weapons as long as the driver had a concealed weapons permit from some other state. the fact is if the police were to discover the pile of guns in the police could do nothing about it.

4:15:04 to 4:15:25( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: the prospect of this scenario is no exaggeration. last year a report showed that one-third of firearms sold on states with weak gun safety laws. the thune amendment would exacerbate this problem and make it easier for gun traffickers to supply known criminals,

4:15:26 to 4:15:47( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: including terrorists, with weapons. madam president, the scourge of gun violence, gun deaths is a menace that this chamber must take seriously. think about it. all of us here repre state -- all of us, two per

4:16:10 to 4:16:32( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: well, we don't -- those in other states whr-rbgs it's illinois or -- whether it's illinois or san?? francisco or houston, texas, they don't know better about what we ought to do in new jersey than we do about them. and we shouldn't take place. look at the toll gun violence takes on our most innocent and

4:16:33 to 4:16:53( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: defenseless in our country. every single day eight children die because of gun violence while another 48 kids are they, their gun injuries. think about it, over 50 kids shot each and every?? day.

4:16:54 to 4:17:15( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: it's a tragedy in america. madam president, the thune amendment would place our communities in danger, in further danger than we already have in lots of pla and leaders, the very people who put their lives on the line to combat criminals and keep their families safe, are against the thune amendment.

4:17:59 to 4:18:19( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: in weapons permits, they're very conservative about whom they allow to have these permits. nevertheless, the amendment from senator thune would defer to the weakest -- would defer to the

4:18:20 to 4:18:40( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: weakest concealed permit so now untrained, amateur gun owners will be free to carry a hidden firearm in other stes and across state lines. do we want to really completely disregard state law enforcement

4:18:41 to 4:19:01( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: officers' decisions, or do we really want criminals wandering our streets with pistols i carrying on their side? or do we reall unstable drivers stuck in a rush hour with guns in the front seats of their car

4:19:02 to 4:19:23( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: i don't. these are critical questions, and they should be resolved by an -they shouldn't be resolved by an amendment tacked on to a defense authorization bill. defense. we've got our oerldz, and the toll keeps rising -- we've got our soldiers and the toll keeps rising in afghanistan.

4:19:24 to 4:19:45( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: by no means is iraq a safe place to be. and they shouldn't have to be furthereopardizes to have their health we see what conditions are like. we see reports from the workmen. and this bill ought to be moved along just on the defense authorization. on thursday the judiciary

4:19:46 to 4:20:08( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: committee is going t hearings on senator thune's proposal. that hearing will give everyone a fair opportunity to get all the facts, hear from both sides of the issue, and learn from the testimony of experts. the hearing will include law enforcement officers testifying against this legislation. they deserve to have their

4:20:09 to 4:20:31( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: voices heard, and we suldn't shortcut the legislative process and the vital work of the judiciary committee. before i close, i want to make one thing crystal clear. this amendment has nothing to do with individuals' rights to

4:20:32 to 4:20:54( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: protect themselves in their own homes. a concealed weapons permit is a separate and special privi it lets gun firearms in a jacket or bag as they travel. whether they're riding in a bus, a car or walking down the

4:20:55 to 4:21:15( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: street, they can have that weapon. why in our to make sure that those who want to carry a scheduled weapon can go any place they want women? you know what happens. we read about fight occurring, cafes all the time.

4:21:16 to 4:21:37( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: just allows people who come in here with weapons and see what happens after alcohol much celebration? bad, bad idea, and we shouldn't allow it. states and local communities must be allowed to choose has earned this privilege based on what's in the best interest

4:21:38 to 4:21:59( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: of that particular state or community. unfortunately, this amendment takes the power away from the local community, away from the state capitals and leaves the decision about what's in the public interest to the gun lobby and the politics here in town.

4:22:00 to 4:22:21( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: lobbyists, in many cases. madam president, the thune amendment poses extreme?? dange to our country, and it lately nullifies state laws and states' agenda. so i to vote "no." on the thune amendment.

4:22:46 to 4:23:06( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: by the way, i carried a gun. it wasn't concealed. i did it in a uniform. and i loved it had a mission to kill somebody else before they killed me. that's not what we typic see.

4:23:07 to 4:23:29( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: in this case, we're in this -- at the hotel people were buying ammunition for their purpose. but everything -- and there was lots of activity. lots of ammunition was being put

4:23:30 to 4:23:50( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: in the the state law in that case permitted it. there couldn't be any objection. the state decided what was best for its citizens and its communities, and they did just that. and i don't have -- i don't agree with that, but i can't object.

4:23:51 to 4:24:12( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: if that state wants to do it that way, they're entitled to do it that way. and whom irom the state of new jersey to tell them how they should conduct themselves in those moments? i have no right to do that. so with an amendment that says

4:24:13 to 4:24:34( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: nobody in the state knows what's tter for their phaoepl than does the gun the gun manufacturers. we agree with that, and i hope that we'll show the american people that we care enough about them and respect their intelligence, respect the fact

4:24:35 to 4:24:55( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: that they have their own structure in take care of the needs as they see them. and we don't want to see intruders into those states. not mine, not yours, not anybody's. it doesn't pass the test that's

4:24:56 to 4:25:05( Edit History Discussion )

Frank Lautenberg: required within that state's jurisdiction before they go around town with their weapons. madam presiden