Norton Blasts Massie for Exploiting Congressional Shooting to Launch Attack on D.C. Gun Safety Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The day after the horrific shooting of Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and others at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, VA, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that, according to a press report, Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has introduced a bill to force the District of Columbia to recognize out-of-state permits to carry concealed guns, regardless of the standards those states use for issuing permits. The District currently requires a carry permit applicant to demonstrate a "good reason" for carrying. Norton said one of the top priorities of the National Rifle Association (NRA) is national concealed carry reciprocity, but, despite full Republican control of Congress, that bill has not moved.

"It took less than a day for Representative Massie to exploit the shocking targeting of Members of Congress and staff to abuse congressional authority over D.C. to undermine our local jurisdiction's gun safety laws," Norton said. "In the wake of an attack, Representative Massie is shamefully using the District as political fodder to advance the NRA-backed goal of moving toward national concealed carry reciprocity. If Representative Massie was true to his principles, he would introduce a bill to allow guns in the Capitol Complex and other federal buildings, where his jurisdiction is without question. At a time when Members need to come together and show unity, Representative Massie is doing exactly the opposite by going after the gun safety laws that protect D.C. residents."

So far this Congress, Norton has prevented consideration of bills introduced by Representative Tom Garrett (R-VA) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to wipe out most of the District's gun safety laws. Norton last Congress defeated eight attempts to eliminate the District's gun safety laws, including two amendments introduced by Massie—one to allow people to carry guns, openly or concealed, in the District without a license, and another to block D.C.'s enhanced penalties for carrying a firearm in gun-free zones.