Captain Shannon Meehan (Ret), Candidate for the 163rd House District Calls on Representative Nick Micozzie to Support Closing the Deadly “Florida Concealed Carry Loophole”
 
LANSDOWNE—Today, retired Army Captain Shannon Meehan, the Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 163rd House District, called on Representative Nick Micozzie to support and strongly urge action on House Bill 2536 closing the deadly “Florida Concealed Carry Loophole.” This loophole allows criminals who have been denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon by Pennsylvania law enforcement to apply for, and be granted, the same permit from the State of Florida. This past Sunday saw the use of a weapon obtained in this manner, by a man who had his Pennsylvania permit revoked for a 2005 confrontation with police, to kill an 18-year old alleged car robber.
 
“This is a direct instance in which inaction over gun legislation has cost a young man his life, and it serves as a resounding call to legislators to close this deadly loophole,” said Meehan. “As a platoon leader in Iraq, my soldiers and I worked tirelessly to disarm those who were a threat to us and their community, and I call on Representative Micozzie to side with the people he represents and law enforcement of Pennsylvania in supporting this bill.”
 
At a public hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee in Upper Darby on August 10th, Representative Micozzie questioned how many of the 3,100 Pennsylvania residents with a Florida concealed carry permit have been arrested for a crime.
 
“Of the 3,100, you mentioned two. Do you have any idea how many have been arrested for a crime?” Micozzie asked.[1]
 
“Whether or not anyone was previously arrested, it now more evident than ever that Mr. Micozzie and the rest of the legislature enact this common sense legislation,” Meehan said. “I am not talking about law-abiding citizens who travel to and from Florida who possess the permit from that state, but those like Mr. Hill, who have proven to Pennsylvania law enforcement that they should not be allowed to carry a concealed weapon and have used the Florida permit as a back door.”

Former Tank Platoon Leader, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient Captain Shannon Meehan (US Army Ret.) is the Democratic nominee for the 163rd House Seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Born and raised in Eastern Delaware County, he was an All-Delco, Hall of Fame wrestler at Upper Darby High School before attending Virginia Military Institute and serving in Iraq. Also among his official commendations is the Army Commendation for Valor. He currently lives in Secane, PA with his wife, Amanda Jane, and their newborn son, Brady Cole.

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