House Judiciary Committee Moves Forward on Dangerous "Arm Anyone" Concealed Carry Bill

Party Line Vote Allows Bill that Usurps State's Right and Endangers Citizens to Proceed to House Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. November 30, 2017 — Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee voted to send a dangerous bill on guns, known as concealed carry reciprocity, to the House floor, where it could be voted on at any time. The Committee's vote was on party lines. In finalizing the bill, the Committee rejected proposed amendments which included measures to establish a minimum age to carry concealed guns, protect state laws that prohibit carrying concealed guns in bars, and require background checks for all gun sales.

This bill would require all states to honor a permit to carry a concealed gun from any other state in America, regardless of the issuing state's procedures to ensure that the permit-holder can safely use a gun. Additionally, this bill will allow persons in one state to "shop around" and apply for a concealed carry permit in less restrictive states like Utah where persons can apply for a concealed carry permit simply by going online. More than 15 million people already have permits to carry concealed guns in the United States. "This bill flouts state law and allows anyone to carry a gun at any time anywhere, regardless of existing state laws that establish procedures for how and when a concealed weapon can be obtained and carried," said Kris Brown, Co-President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "We already have an epidemic of gun violence in America, and adding more concealed weapons in more sensitive places, like subways, hospitals, airports, restaurants and schools creates a nationwide public safety disaster," she continued.

Violence crime rates increase in states with weak laws on carrying hidden guns, according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research.

Brady Co-President Avery Gardiner added, "Too many members of Congress prioritize the interests of the corporate gun lobby over their constituents' lives. You can be certain that we'll work with Americans across the country to make them answer for this irresponsible vote during the 2018 election cycle."