In horrific timing, Arizona govenor Jan Brewer just signed a new law lifting restrictions on concealed weapons.
PHOENIX — Favoring the constitutional right to bear arms over others' concerns about gun safety, Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday signed into law a bill making Arizona the third state allowing people to carry a concealed weapon without requiring a permit.
The measure takes effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends, which likely puts the effective date in July or August.
"I believe this legislation not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well," Brewer, a Republican, said in a statement....
By eliminating the permit requirement, the Arizona legislation will allow people 21 or older to forego background checks and classes that are now required.
Update: This story is from April, so yes, the new law is in effect now. But we don't know if the weapon used was permitted or not. so not at direct issue in the Giffords shooting. But hopefully it will make Brewer and the state legislature reconsider this new law.
Update: Here is the law.
Update:The law was signed in April 2010, abd went into effect in July 2010.
This suspect, reported to be about 21, was able to carry a concealed weapon to this event BECAUSE of that law, and shoot a Congresswoman point blank in the head.