Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)–who serves as chair of the Second Amendment Caucus–has introduced a bill called the D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act (H.R 2909) in wake of yesterday’s horrific shooting in Alexandria, VA. The shooting that took place yesterday morning left Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), several aides, and two Capitol Police officers injured. Scalise still remains in critical condition. The gunman died sustaining his wounds.

The bill, if passed, would amend current rules to allow all non-D.C. residents–Congressional members included–with valid concealed carry permits from their home state to conceal carry in the nation’s capital. A namesake bill was previously introduced by Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) during the 114th Congress during the 2015-2016 legislative session.

In an official press release, Massie offered this reasoning for the bill:

“After the horrific shooting at the Republican Congressional Baseball practice, there will likely be calls for special privileges to protect politicians,” Congressman Massie explained. “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 yesterday, 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,” stated Congressman Massie. “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.”

This bill fits perfectly in line with Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, which allows this legislative body 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” according to the press release.

Massie is joined by 23 original cosponsors of the bill. They include the following lawmakers: 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).

This is a good but small step to easing gun restrictions in Washington, D.C.–especially in wake yesterday’s terrible shooting.

The Resurgent recently sat down with Rep. Massie to discuss his work with the Second Amendment Caucus. Watch our interview to see his thoughts on advancing gun rights this Congress:

This bill would be a good step in the right direction. We should expect similar legislation to be presented and pushed in Congress in wake of yesterday’s unfortunate event.

Correction: I amended the article to correct bit about non-D.C. residents–not just congressmen–having the right to conceal carry in the nation’s capital if this bill is passed.

Source: Gabriella Hoffman, http://theresurgent.com