Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Senators helped to defeat a national concealed-carry bill Wednesday.

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley opposed the amendment drafted by South Dakota Senator John Thune. 

It would have mandated states to honor concealed gun permits issued in other states. It's an issue with some resonance in cities along the Columbia. 

That's because if gun owners need to travel back and forth across the river, they must carry dual licenses for Washington and Oregon.

Senator Merkley said he can appreciate the problem, but thinks the Thune amendment was not the solution.

Jeff Merkley   "This wouldn't have established reciprocity just with Washington, it would have been any state in the union, even if they have no training requirements, no requirements related to criminal offenses, being on pre-trial release or having outstanding warrants."

Merkley says he does think reciprocity would make sense, but that it should be handled by the Oregon legislature. Merkley served in the state legislature for ten years -- two of those as House Speaker.

While 58 U.S. Senators voted for the amendment, backers needed sixty votes to pass. Two Republicans joined most of the Senate's Democrats in voting 'no'.