Pennsylvania Democratic Party

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300 North Second Street, 8th Floor,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101

Phone: (717) 920-8470 - Fax: (717) 901-7829

Email: info@padems.com Website: www.padems.com

Jim Burn	Penny Gerber	Ann Bursis
State Chair	Vice-Chair	Treasurer

CONTACT: Patrick McKenna
PHONE: (717) 920-8470

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2010

Pennsylvania Democrats Call On Meehan To Support Common Sense Public Safety Legislation

HARRISBURG, Pa: This afternoon the Pennsylvania State Democratic Party called on Republican Congressional candidate Pat Meehan to finally put public safety over politics and show support for legislation designed to ensure that convicts and people accused of violent crimes do not circumvent Pennsylvania law to receive permits to legally carry concealed weapons.

The legislation has already received a groundswell of support from law enforcement officials across the state since early May when it was introduced by State Representative Bryan Lentz, including a letter of support signed by Chiefs of Police from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton. The bill, HB 2536, would stop people who would otherwise be denied a permit to carry a concealed gun, or have their permit revoked under state law from using a permit from another state to circumvent the laws of the Commonwealth, as currently occurs.

Since Republican support for the bill could play a significant role in helping the measure pass an expected vote tomorrow in the House Judiciary Committee, Democrats are calling for Meehan to finally set aside political considerations and show support for the bill.

"It's time for Pat Meehan to step to the plate for the police officers and law enforcement officials across the state who have been loud and clear about their support for closing the Florida loophole," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn, a former mayor. "They are the people who have to deal with the threat of gun violence every day. All they are asking is that they are allowed to apply our state's laws to the residents of Pennsylvania."

"Real leadership means recognizing when it's time to put aside partisanship and support something that's just the right thing to do," he added. "This is one of those times."

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