Local law enforcement officials are joining their colleagues across the country in voicing opposition to House Resolution 822, or the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.

It would amend federal criminal code and authorize a person with a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm “who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm under federal law, to carry a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state,” according to a summary of the legislation.

Law enforcement officials, including the Delaware County Police Chiefs Association, have voiced concerns in letters to legislators.

CeaseFirePA, an organization that advocates for gun control, also opposes the bill. And the National Rifle Association is in favor of a clean (unamended) version of the bill.

"This is self-defense legislation,” said a spokeswoman for the NRA.

The bill is currently before the House and a vote is expected today or tomorrow. U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-1, of Philadelphia (who represents an eastern portion of Delco, including Chester) are not co-sponsors of the bill.

Brady has said he will oppose it.

It's unclear what Meehan will do. His spokeswoman, Maureen Keith, said her boss won't make a decision until after he sees a final version of the bill. He believes there will be amendments made to the bill once it gets to the House floor.

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As a resident of Delco, what do you think of the bill? Should federal legislators vote against it?