Release – Childers Introduces Bill to Restore Citizen’s Second Amendment Rights

Childers Introduces Bill to Restore Citizen’s Second Amendment Rights

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Travis Childers (MS-01) joined Rep. Mark Souder (IN -03) in introducing critical legislation to restore Second Amendment rights to residents of the District of Columbia. This legislation is a response to the D.C. Council continuing to circumvent the Supreme Court’s historic 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. Companion legislation is being introduced in the Senate by Sens. John McCain (AZ) and Jon Tester (MT).

“I’m proud to join Rep. Mark Souder in introducing bipartisan legislation essential to protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights,” said Congressman Childers. “I was disappointed that this legislation was pulled from the floor schedule last week, but today’s introduction marks an important step toward restoring D.C. citizens’ right to bear arms, and safeguarding the right of all Americans to defend themselves and their families. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect this fundamental American right.”

“It’s a shame that this legislation is even necessary to restore rights that citizens of the District should already have the freedom to exercise,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “We are grateful that a bipartisan group of members of Congress led by Senators McCain and Tester, and Congressmen Childers and Souder, have taken this significant step to require the D.C. Council to abide by the Heller decision and allow law-abiding citizens in D.C. to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Today’s legislation seeks to secure for District residents the rights reinforced by the Supreme Court’s decision in Heller. The legislation would repeal D.C.’s ban on many common semi-automatic firearms, restore the right of self-defense in the home, authorize purchases of firearms and ammunition by D.C. residents, repeal the District’s burdensome gun registration requirement and ensure that firearms may be transported and carried for legitimate purposes.

The legislation introduced today is similar to the Ensign Amendment adopted by the Senate in 2009, and to the Childers Amendment that passed the House in 2008. Both measures passed their respective chambers with broad bipartisan majorities.