I actually think after the shooting of the female congressperson in Arizona in 2011 and this shooting on the
East Coast that Congresspeople should have the right to arm themselves (when not in a secure environment)
like the Capitol Building or other secured areas. But, when they are out and about often with out bodyguards
having a loaded weapon these days might be useful, even though I think more Republicans and less Democracts
are likely to arm themselves full time.
However, you also might have the press shot by lawmakers instead of being bodyslammed like the guy
I believe it was in Montana?
So, if the press is shot just for asking the questions that keep our government accountable then firearms won't
be a good thing. Will they?
Doctors say US student freed by North Korea is in a state of 'unresponsive wakefulness'Politics todaybegin quote from:Lawmakers press for right to arm |
In wake of attack, lawmakers advocate greater right to carry weapons
Story highlights
- The District of Columbia has some of the strictest laws in the country for personal gun use
- In the wake of Rep. Steve Scalise's shooting, some lawmakers want to carry firearms in Washington
Washington (CNN)Following
Wednesday's attack on the Republican congressional baseball team, many
credited the quick actions of two US Capitol Police officers in
preventing a further tragedy. Some GOP lawmakers are calling not only
for increased security personnel, but for the right to carry guns
themselves.
"The
ability to protect ourselves individually, rather than having to rely
on someone else is something that I cherish," Rep. Jack Bergman of
Michigan told CNN. "I would like the opportunity to be able to protect
myself as a congressman."
Bergman
was on the field in Alexandria, Virginia, for a morning baseball
practice when alleged gunman James Hodgkinson opened fire. House
Republican whip Rep. Steve Scalise, a congressional staffer, a lobbyist
and a member of the Capitol police force were shot, and at least two
others were injured. As of Thursday afternoon, Scalise remained hospitalized in critical condition.
Rep.
Chris Collins, a Republican from New York, said that prior to
Wednesday's shooting, he used to carry his handgun on rare occasions. He
says he now plans to carry it on him at all times.
"I've
had a carry permit for 30 years, and I would say off and on in
different instances where I have, you know, felt it was appropriate, I
would carry the weapon on myself," Collins said on CNN's New Day.
"Certainly in the short term I'm going to go a step beyond just having
it in the glove box in my car and I will be carrying."
Washington
has some of the nation's most stringent gun laws. Per city regulations,
residents must register their guns with the police department. To obtain a concealed carry permit,
they must pass extensive background tests and trainings and provide a
"good reason" for their need to carry a concealed firearm.
Rep.
Barry Loudermilk, who was also on the field during the shooting, told
reporters that Congress should look into "some kind of reciprocity" for
members of Congress with concealed carry permits to use them in
Washington.
"If this had happened in Georgia, he wouldn't have gotten too far," he said.
Some
GOP lawmakers are seizing upon the idea of "a good guy with a gun" to
stop acts of violence to advocate for the ability to arm themselves.
On Facebook
Wednesday evening. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky wrote: "What's always
evident in these situations is: the only thing that stops a bad guy
with a gun is a good guy with a gun.
"We
need to repeal laws that keep good guys from carrying guns, since not
everyone has a personal police detail," Massie added. "The right to keep
and bear arms is the common person's first line of defense in these
situations, and it should never be denied."
On
Thursday, Massie introduced a bill to allow anyone with concealed carry
permits in their home states -- not just members of Congress -- to use
them in the District of Columbia. It would also allow those who live in
states that don't allow concealed carry to apply for a "non-resident
permit" while in the nation's capital.
"The
irony is that those of us in Congress who don't have police details, we
are safer in our home districts where many of us do carry concealed
weapons," Massie said on Fox Business.
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