The Godfather of "Conceal and Carry"

Gertrud Fremling

Conceal-and-carry advocate John Lott believes an armed society is a polite society

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More About

• John Lott
• John M. Olin Foundation
• Ted Goertzel
• Politics
• Gun Control

One month after appearing at CAE, Lott testified to the Minnesota Legislature as a prime witness on the subject of "conceal and carry" gun legislation that would make it relatively easy for the citizenry to carry handguns. The Republican-controlled House passed virtually identical legislation, based on his testimony, in 2001. The House Republicans' website cited Lott's research in its announcement of the bill's passage. The bill never became law, however, as it was ultimately (though barely) rejected by the DFL-controlled Minnesota Senate. The same legislation has already been proposed and passed out of committee in the 2003 session, sponsored by 32 Republicans and three DFLers. Republicans say that they have the votes in the Senate to pass the legislation this time, and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said during last fall's campaign that he would sign such a bill if it came to his desk.