tomoshenko
03-16-2007, 04:45 AM
CONCORD, N.H. -- A new plan proposed to tighten restrictions on all state gun permits drew fierce opposition from gun owners on Thursday.
Angry gun owners packed a Senate hearing room to register disapproval in the proposed gun permit crackdown.
"It's fixing a problem we don't have," said one gun owner.
"If anyone thinks a terrorist will be dissuaded by a law it's wrong," said another gun owner.
They're talking about a bill offered by state Sen. Peter Burling, D-Cornish, who said the current state police background check for gun licenses doesn't protect residents from gang members and terrorists.
"If someone walked in and said, 'I'm from al-Queda, and I'd like a permit,' there is no legal way to deny a permit absent a felony," said Burling.
Burling offered a bill to empower selectmen and local police to deny gun permits if they reasonably believe that a person is a terrorist or a member of a criminal group.
Burling said he offered the bill after a young person in Lebanon applied for and received a gun permit, even after admitting to being part of a criminal gang and having been arrested several times, though never convicted.
But critics said the bill offered no definition of a terrorist and gives local officials too much power over who gets gun permits.
"It's a solution in search of a problem," said Alan Rice of the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition. "There's no evidence that terrorists and criminals can obtain use of firearms in the state of New Hampshire."
Lawmakers agreed with gun owners, voting 5-0 to recommend killing the bill.
Burling offered an amendment to fashion the law after Vermont, which lists who is not allowed to get a gun permit.
That was also rejected.
A full Senate vote is expected next week.
Angry gun owners packed a Senate hearing room to register disapproval in the proposed gun permit crackdown.
"It's fixing a problem we don't have," said one gun owner.
"If anyone thinks a terrorist will be dissuaded by a law it's wrong," said another gun owner.
They're talking about a bill offered by state Sen. Peter Burling, D-Cornish, who said the current state police background check for gun licenses doesn't protect residents from gang members and terrorists.
"If someone walked in and said, 'I'm from al-Queda, and I'd like a permit,' there is no legal way to deny a permit absent a felony," said Burling.
Burling offered a bill to empower selectmen and local police to deny gun permits if they reasonably believe that a person is a terrorist or a member of a criminal group.
Burling said he offered the bill after a young person in Lebanon applied for and received a gun permit, even after admitting to being part of a criminal gang and having been arrested several times, though never convicted.
But critics said the bill offered no definition of a terrorist and gives local officials too much power over who gets gun permits.
"It's a solution in search of a problem," said Alan Rice of the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition. "There's no evidence that terrorists and criminals can obtain use of firearms in the state of New Hampshire."
Lawmakers agreed with gun owners, voting 5-0 to recommend killing the bill.
Burling offered an amendment to fashion the law after Vermont, which lists who is not allowed to get a gun permit.
That was also rejected.
A full Senate vote is expected next week.