PHOTO: Yesterday, Congressman Brooks introduced H.R. 2940, which would allow lawmakers to be able to Conceal Carry. ("Mo Brooks," Wikimedia | File Photo)

By Staff Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) introduced H.R. 2940, the Congressional Self-Defense Act, which empowers congressional lawmakers to carry a concealed weapon anywhere in America except the U.S. Capitol or when in the presence of the President or Vice President.

Brooks was at the recent baseball practice where a shooter attempted to assassinate Republican Members of Congress. The shooter possessed a handwritten assassination list that included Congressman Mo Brooks’ name and office number.

Congressman Mo Brooks said, “Last week’s shooting at the Republican baseball practice highlighted and reinforced the increasing number of threats faced by Congressmen, Senators, and their families. The truth is, if Steve Scalise’s leadership detail had not been present at last week’s practice, many of my colleagues and I might not be alive today. If Congressmen or Senators at the practice had firearms, there is a strong possibility that the shootout would have ended earlier than it did.”

Brooks continued, “Although high-profile targets of lone wolf shooters and terrorists, Congressmen and Senators (excepting leadership) enjoy very limited to no law enforcement protection when off the Capitol Hill campus. Surprisingly, because of Washington, D.C.’s restrictive gun laws, Congressmen and Senators are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon. That is why today I introduced the Congressional Self-Defense Act to allow lawmakers to conceal carry so that they are better positioned to defend themselves against lone wolf and terrorist attacks.”

Brooks concluded, “Lest there be any confusion, as a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms, I believe all law-abiding citizens should be able to conceal carry. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, to extend national reciprocity to all qualified individuals, as well as numerous other pieces of legislation ensuring that the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment to the Constitution are not infringed upon."

"As I have in the past, I will continue to defend all Americans’ Second Amendment rights with my vote,” concluded Brooks.