Rep.Thomas Massie

By U.S. Rep.Thomas Massie

R-Kentucky



Congressman Thomas Massie, R-Ky, chairman of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, has introduced H.R 2909, the D.C Personal Protection Reciprocity Act. This legislation would allow individuals with a valid concealed carry permit issued from their home state to carry their firearms in the District of Columbia.



After the horrific shooting at the Republican congressional baseball practice, there will likely be calls for special privileges to protect politicians. Our reaction should instead be to protect the right of all citizens guaranteed in the Constitution: The right to self-defense.



I do not want to extend a special privilege to politicians, because the right to keep and bear arms is not a privilege, it is a God-given right protected by our Constitution.



If not for the heroic efforts of the United States Capitol Police at the ball field last month, things could have been much worse. What’s always evident in these situations is this: The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.



To ensure public safety, we need to repeal laws that keep good guys from carrying guns, since not everyone has a personal police detail.



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.



Congress has the authority to legislate in this area pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the authority to “exercise exclusive Legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district as may become the seat of the government of the United States."



Although Virginia extends reciprocity to concealed carry permit holders in many states, the members of Congress and accompanying staff traveled directly from D.C., and were traveling back to D.C after the practice was over.



It was D.C.’s harsh gun control laws that prevented these law-abiding citizens from exercising their right to bear arms.



Note: Original cosponsors include: Reps Trent Franks (R-AZ), Scott Perry (R-PA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Jody Hice (R-GA), Justin Amash (R-MI), Mo Brooks (R- AL), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Rod Blum (R-IA), Ken Buck (R-CO), Todd Rokita (R-IN), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Keith Rothfus (R-PA) David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rick Allen (R-GA), Tedd Yoho (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Bill Posey (R-FL).



U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie entered Congress in November 2012 after serving as Lewis County (Ky.) judge executive. He represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District which stretches across northern Kentucky and 280 miles of the Ohio River. He serves on three committees: the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

