But probably not due to the reasons that you think it did. The version of the bill before the Senate has stalled essentially due to infighting in the Democrat party. I’ve come out in the past in favor of H.R. 2640, because I believe it’s a net win for the pro-gun side; as such I’m disheartened to see that it’s stalling before it can get to the president.
But the saga of the gun-records bill is something different: a self-inflicted wound for the new majority.
After the House bill passed in June, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) personally appealed to Democratic senators to pass it without amendments. “I wanted it to be taken up right away,” she said. “If it’s clean, it’s over.”
But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a turf-conscious Vermonter, insisted that the bill go through his panel and in the process reignited an old fight with his Democratic colleague, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Short version of the story, Sen. Leahy tacked on a couple of amendments to the bill; which if you read the whole story seem to be pretty harmless. The problem is that the aforementioned amendment steps on the toes of Sen. Kennedy, which has caused the bill to become bogged down. Apparently the Senate Majority Leader doesn’t want to devote floor time to the debate for this bill; I also find that pretty frustrating.
The biggest problem is that Leahy’s amendments to the bill are (in my opinion) a good thing, as they expand on the existing law that allows retired police officers to carry concealed all across the country. The amendments have the full support of the Fraternal Order of Police.
As I said, I supported H.R. 2640 when it was before the House, and I continue to support it now. I wish the Democrats would quit with their little turf wars and get this legislation through.
Update: Bitter mentions that it’s not what you’re thinking – they’re not adding more gun control to the bill.
“The biggest problem is that Leahy’s amendments to the bill are (in my opinion) a good thing, as they expand on the existing law that allows retired police officers to carry concealed all across the country. The amendments have the full support of the Fraternal Order of Police.”_ Ahab.
No, it is not a good thing. What do you call a retired cop? A CITIZEN. As such he has no more rights than any citizen, if he does , it is wrong. Period.
Let them live the same rules they enforced against the rest of us. Perhaps they will become more citizen right friendly if they must live under the same illegal restrictions we do.