Protecting Second Amendment Rights

Currently, citizens can only purchase a handgun in the state where they are considered a resident. Exceptions are made for active duty military members, but not their spouses. In many cases, spouses reside in the state where their active duty spouse has orders, but are barred from purchasing firearms in that state because their driver’s license is issued in their “home state,” or they don’t have another state-issued identification card in the state their spouse is stationed.

Earlier this year, I introduced the Protect Our Military Families’ Second Amendment Rights Act, legislation that will amend The Gun Control Act of 1968 to solve this issue. Last week, the House passed a defense policy bill which included language that echoed my bill, allowing spouses of active duty service members to purchase firearms in the state where they live under military order.

Military spouses shouldn’t be denied their Second Amendment rights based on the military orders of their spouse. They have the right to defend themselves and their families just like anyone else, which is why I am glad their Second Amendment rights are now being protected.