By Ed Somers
March 1, 2004

The U.S. Senate began debate last week on major gun legislation.

The underlying bill being debated (S. 1805) would provide liability protection to manufacturers and sellers of guns against lawsuits brought by a number of cities and other parties. A similar bill has already passed in the House, and is supported by the Administration. The Conference of Mayors has adopted policy against this preemption and opposes the bill. The vote to consider the bill was 75-22, and there are more than 55 cosponsors on similar legislation.

As debate began last week, the Senate approved an amendment by Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) to require that gun locks be either built in or included with new guns that are sold or transferred. The amendment passed 70-27.

When action continues on Tuesday, March 2, amendments will be offered on a number of key gun safety provisions. The first (S.2109) is a bipartisan proposal by Senators Feinstein (CA), Warner (VA), Schumer (NY), DeWine (OH) and others to extend for 10 years the assault weapon ban set to expire in September of 2004. The second bill (S. 1807) is a bipartisan proposal by Senators John McCain (AZ), Jack Reed (RI) and others to close the gun show loophole. The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supports both of these bills.

The Senate may also consider an amendment by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (CO) and Patrick Leahy (VT) that would allow off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons and be exempt from state and local laws banning concealed weapons. Major law enforcement executive organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police oppose this proposal. A similar proposal (S.253) was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 18-1.