(Thumbnail image from Flickr user Roo Reynolds)

“It does allow law biding citizens in this country to exercise their constitutional right under the 2nd Amendment”…”State boarders should not be a barrier to an emit individual’s right to defend themselves.” --Sen. John Thune, (R) South Dakota

“Here we have people who believe in states’ rights, but when it comes to something they really want, are willing to pounce on states’ rights and destroy them.” --Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California (Footage from PBS)

The U.S. Senate shot down Republican Senator John Thune’s amendment that would allow concealed weapons to be carried across state lines. Thune fell two votes short of the 60-vote majority.

The debate was not only limited to the Senate. Our research shows media reporting has turned this controversial bill into a debate between states’ rights and city safety.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg led more than 450 mayors to sign a full-page ad in USA Today to oppose Senator Thune’s amendment. The big city mayors suggest that people carrying guns across states would pose a threat to big cities’ safety. But, Senator Thune states in a quote published on POLITICO…

“I say to my colleague from New York that if someone who has a concealed carry permit... in the State of South Dakota that goes to New York and is in Central Park -- Central Park is a much safer place."

But MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow disagrees.

“If there’s one thing that makes New Yorkers feel safe in the Park is the idea that a visiting tourist from South Dakota is also there...armed. Senator Thune’s amendment needed 60 votes to pass, it did not get 60 votes, in celebration, there will presumably be absolutely no shootings by anyone in Central Park tonight, tourists or otherwise.”

However, FOX News’ Glenn Beck has a different perspective and suggests that law abiding citizens carrying concealed weapons does not negatively affect public safety.

"I went to the movie this weekend, with a gun, and surprise, surprise, I didn't kill anybody."

Meanwhile, local media in a state that has a larger rural population, KTVX in Utah, focuses on the views of gun owners.

"This is a sad day for gun enthusiasts. 'It is a disappointment. Just the right to be able to  personally defend yourself wherever you're going. It's something that should be respected.' "

However, disappointed gun rights activists are, Republican Former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani believes that the failing of the bill is a good thing. He agrees with Democratic California Senator Diane Feinstein that states and localities should be in control of this issue.

“In a very crowded city where you’ve got availability of guns, it can be very different than in a rural area, where you may want them for protecting yourself in the home because you’re all alone, or for hunting or whatever.” “By its not passing, we’re left with cities and states within constitutional limits making their own decisions, I think that’s better.” (CNN)

So do you think people with concealed weapon permits pose a threat to big cities’ safety, or do they actually make cities like New York safer? Do you think this issue should be settled by states or the federal government?