Members of Congress Allowed to Keep Firearms in Offices

Members of Congress Allowed to Keep Firearms in Offices

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Apr 27, 2015

While the general public is prohibited from carrying firearms on Capitol Grounds, members of Congress are allowed not only to keep firearms in their offices but transport them to and from this area, according to Capitol Police. But, there must be a catch, right?

Republican Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado demonstrated what I consider a “privilege” by bringing his AR-15, American flag-wrapped rifle to Capitol Hill. He was given clearance to transport the firearm from Colorado to his Capitol Hill office, admitting that he followed all TSA regulations about getting the gun onto the plane. Buck even tweeted a photo of himself and Rep. Trey Gowdy posing with the assault rifle.

According to Capitol Police spokeswoman, members of Congress’ firearms must be “unloaded and securely wrapped,” and maintained “within the confines of their office.” Buck indicated that his gun hangs above a Second Amendment flag in his office, unloaded with a trigger lock and the bolt carrier assembly removed.

“The only dangerous thing about that gun is if someone took it off the wall and hit somebody else over the head with it,” said Buck.

This makes me wonder, then, what’s the purpose of having it? If someone was actually hit with a gun, as Buck said, especially in the cranial area, there is a possibility that person could die, based on blunt force trauma. This then becomes an issue of security, keeping the wrong people from accessing the unloaded, trigger-locked gun that’s hanging on the wall as it could still be used as a weapon.

Maybe Buck displays it to remind him of his right-to-carry freedom here in America. Whatever the reason, do you think citizens should be able to get clearance to do the same as the members of Congress? I mean, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.