A new piece of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives would make it legal for individuals with concealed carry permits issued in their home states to carry a firearm in the District of Columbia. H.R. 2909, The D.C. Personal Protection Reciprocity Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., as a measure to protect people who may live in other localities but work in D.C. or pass through it.
Rep. Massie says his bill was inspired by the shooting at a congressional baseball practice. Although the incident occurred in Virginia, the members of Congress and their staff had traveled from D.C. and were, therefore, unable to carry firearms.
Massie explained that after the shooting, “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.”
