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.

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