Senate backs Ariz. immigration law

Senate backs Ariz. immigration law - NH
Stand-your-ground law repeal defeated

By Annmarie Timmins / Monitor staff
concordmonitor.com
May 10, 2012

The state Senate dispensed with two hot-potato issues yesterday with nearly no discussion.

On a voice vote, the Senate overturned a recommendation by its own committee and opted to endorse Arizona's controversial illegal immigration law. The resolution passed yesterday sends a message but carries no authority.

The Senate also declined to allow Sen. Sylvia Larsen, a Concord Democrat, to introduce an amendment to a firearms bill that would have repealed the state's 2011 stand-your-ground law. The law, which is at the center of the Florida shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin, allows people to shoot someone in self-defense without having to attempt a retreat first.

Because Larsen's amendment was deemed "non-germane" to the bill she wanted to attach it to, Senators would have had to suspend Senate rules to let Larsen put her legislation forward.

Senators said no, voting 18-5 along party lines.

Sen. Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican, said Larsen's amendment had not had a public hearing, something he considered necessary for a "rather controversial" proposal.

The Arizona immigration law requires the police to inquire about a person's legal status during police stops and makes it against the law for illegal immigrants to seek work in the state.

The law has been challenged and is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.

It passed on a voice vote after Senate Democrats failed to kill the bill.

(Annmarie Timmins can be reached at 369-3323 or atimmins@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @annmarietimmins.)

Senate backs Ariz. immigration law | Concord Monitor