Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ11), who represents Verona in Congress, voted yesterday in favor of a bill that would allow people who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon in other states to similarly carry those guns in any state that allows concealed weapons. New Jersey, which has among the most restrictive gun laws in the country, rarely grants carry permits to anyone other than retired law enforcement officers. It also has been one of only 10 states that didn’t honor concealed carry permits issued in other states.
Frelinghuysen’s vote was swiftly condemned by people in and out of New Jersey. Gabrielle Giffords, who represented Arizona’s 8th district in Congress from 2007 to 2012 before suffering a traumatic brain injury after being shot in an assassination attempt that killed six people and injured 13 others, said on Twitter that “.@USRepRodney just voted to weaken our gun laws. Thoughts & prayers alone will not prevent the next horrible tragedy. This is not the kind of leadership our nation deserves.” Giffords now heads a political action committee against gun violence, @GiffordsCourage.
.@USRepRodney just voted to weaken our gun laws. Thoughts & prayers alone will not prevent the next horrible tragedy. This is not the kind of leadership our nation deserves. https://t.co/ULsXvFn0s6
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) December 6, 2017
John Bartlett, a Passaic County freeholder who is running to be the Democratic challenger to Frelinghuysen in next year’s congressional elections said, “As the #NJ11 candidate who’s worked on litigation protecting local authority over gun safety, I join law enforcement, @GabbyGiffords @MomsDemand & many others opposing #ConcealedCarryReciprocity. This Act will put NJ at the mercy of the laxest states’ decisions on who can carry.”
As the #NJ11 candidate who’s worked on litigation protecting local authority over gun safety, I join law enforcement, @GabbyGiffords @MomsDemand & many others opposing #ConcealedCarryReciprocity. This Act will put NJ at the mercy of the laxest states’ decisions on who can carry.
— John Bartlett (@johnwbartlett) December 6, 2017
Mikie Sherrill, a Montclair resident who has been a Navy veteran and federal prosecutor, and is also running for the Democratic nod in the 11th congressional district, said, “Congressman Frelinghuysen just voted in favor a bill that puts the people of NJ at risk of more violence in their communities. It is shameful that in a year with two of the worst mass shootings on record, the only response from Congress is eroding sensible gun laws. #StopCCR”
Congressman Frelinghuysen just voted in favor a bill that puts the people of NJ at risk of more violence in their communities. It is shameful that in a year with two of the worst mass shootings on record, the only response from Congress is eroding sensible gun laws. #StopCCR
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) December 6, 2017
Concealed-carry reciprocity has been a top legislative priority for the National Rifle Association. While Frelinghuysen was given low marks by pro-gun groups early in his career, his recent ratings have been more favorable.
The future of the concealed-carry vote is uncertain. Originally a separate bill, concealed carry was attached to a bill boosting the background check system, which had bipartisan support. In the Senate, Democrats likely would have blocked concealed carry, but a bipartisan coalition there is viewed as having enough votes on enhanced background checks that it could break any filibuster.
