The numbers are all-too-familiar: 14 million Americans are unemployed, and the unemployment rate is 9.1%.
And how did the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee spend the last half of last week? The 37-member committee focused on a bill that would eviscerate California's strict gun control laws.
The legislation, HR 822 by Florida Republican Cliff Stearns, would require that all states honor concealed weapons permits issued by any other state -- no matter how lax those standards might be.
The National Rifle Association calls HR 822 the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011." California police chiefs call it dangerous.
The legislation would deregulate concealed carry laws across the nation. So long as an applicant meets minimum standards -- isn't a felon and hasn't been adjudged mentally ill -- he or she could get a permit.
Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, is a member of the Judiciary Committee, and seems to be leaning toward voting for the bill when it comes up for a final committee vote, as soon as the week of Oct. 24.
Lungren offered an amendment that would require the federal government to conduct a study to determine the number of permits issued and denied by various states to nonresidents of those states.
Save the money. Here's what the study would show: States with lax requirements issue lots of permits.
In a state that has seen far too much gun violence, California should not be forced by congressional overlords to honor permits from any other state.
At least 16 members of the California congressional delegation have embraced the legislation by signing on as co-sponsors. They include Democratic Reps. Dennis Cardoza of Merced and Joe Baca from San Bernardino County.
Central Valley Republicans include Jeff Denham, Kevin McCarthy and Devin Nunes.
Southern California Republicans include Dana Rohrabacher, who represents Seal Beach, where a gunman this week slaughtered eight people in a hair salon.
The House Judiciary Committee will approve the bill, and send it to the House floor, perhaps for a vote on Oct. 31, Halloween. Meanwhile, 14 million Americans wonder when they'll see a paycheck again.
