Gohmert drafts bill to allow guns on House floor

Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert says his office is drafting a measure to allow members of Congress to carry guns in the District of Columbia, including in the Capitol and on the House floor.

Gohmert says he and his colleagues need to be able to protect themselves, in light of the mass shooting in Arizona.

“It’d be a good thing for members of Congress who want to carry a weapon in the District,” he said. “I know friends that walk home from the Capitol. There’s no security for us,” he said, adding that the measure would deter people from attacking members. “There is some protection in having protection.”

He said there were times during the health care debate last year that he felt afraid, including when a stranger approached him on the street and started screaming at him.

Though Gohmert doesn’t have a concealed weapon permit in Texas, he’s long been a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights.

Gohmert said his staff is preparing a draft of the bill now, which he'll circulate among members for input before formally introducing.