Aventura Mayor Susan Gottlieb has joined a national drive by mayors asking the U.S. Senate to block an amendment that would force states to honor out-of-state concealed weapons permits.

It's a state's rights issue, Gottlieb says in opposing Amendment 1618. That amendment to the

Defense Authorization Act would allow anyone with a concealed gun permit issued in any state to carry the weapon in any other state that issues concealed carry permits. That would include Florida.

Gottlieb argues each state should have the power to decide who may carry a concealed weapon within its borders.

The National Rifle Association favors the amendment, arguing Congress has a duty to assure that constitutional freedoms -- including the right to bear arms and the right of citizens to freely cross state lines -- are protected across the nation.

On the other side of the issue, the Brady Campaign says the plan would "endanger public safety" and the Violence Policy Center says concealed weapons permit holders have killed at least seven police officers and 44 private citizens in 31 incidents over the past two years. Nine of those incidents were in Florida.

A vote on the amendment could come July 22.

The Aventura City Commission authorized Gottlieb to write a letter to Florida's two senators at its July 16 meeting.