After yesterday’s tragic shooting in Alexandria, Virginia that left Majority Whip Steve Scalise in critical condition, one representative has a solution: allowing representatives to conceal carry in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s proposal would allow members of Congress to carry in the nation’s capitol if he or she has a CCP/CCL in their home state. As of now, Washington, D.C. does not recognize CCPs or CCLs from other states.
“I think we need to look at some kind of reciprocity for members here [in Washington, D.C.],” Loudermilk told the Washington Examiner. “But also we need to look at security detail. If Scalise hadn’t been on our team, it would have been really bad.”
According to Loudermilk, one of his aides was in a car about 20 yards behind the gunman. The aide would have had a clear shot to take down the gunman but he’s not allowed to carry in D.C., although he has a Georgia Weapons Carry License.
“First of all, if this had happened in Georgia, he wouldn’t have gotten too far. I had a staff member who was in his car, maybe 20 yards behind the shooter… who back in Georgia carries a nine millimeter in his car,” Loudermilk explained. “I carry a weapon. He had a clear shot at him. But here, we’re not allowed to carry any weapons here… Most of us are here in D.C., so how are you supposed to have it here?”
Although yesterday’s shooting took place in Virginia, which is more gun-friendly, Loudermilk brought up a good point: members work in D.C. As it is, they can have a gun in Virginia, but it does them no good if they can’t carry the firearm with them everywhere the go, particularly in D.C.
“Most of us are here in D.C., so how do you have the gun here and just transport it to Virginia?” Loudermilk asked when reporters mentioned Virginia’s gun laws.
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