He Voted For You: Concealed Guns

U.S. Sen Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., voted against an amendment that aimed to "to allow citizens who have concealed carry permits from the State in which they reside to carry concealed firearms in another State that grants concealed carry permits."

A recuperating Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., did not take part in the 58-39 roll call, which requires at least 60 votes for the amendment to prevail.

"Opponents said it would force states with tough concealed weapon permit restrictions to let in gun carriers from states that give permits to convicted criminals, minors and people with no firearms training," The Associated Press reports. "The chief sponsor of the measure, South Dakota Republican John Thune, said it would reduce crime by allowing law-abiding citizens such as truck drivers to protect themselves as they travel from one state to another."

The National Rifle Association's executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, told AP that those who opposed it "will see it reflected in support from their constituents."

But "the Violence Policy Center, a gun control advocacy group, released a study this week finding that concealed handgun permit holders killed at least seven police officers and 44 private citizens during the two-year period ending in April," the article said.

AP also explains that "concealed weapons are allowed in 48 states. Alaska and Vermont allow any gun owner to carry a concealed gun. Wisconsin and Illinois don't allow them at all, except for law enforcement officers. The other 46 states require permits to carry a concealed gun."