Paul’s bill gutting DC gun laws teed up
Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) proposal to roll back gun control laws in Washington, D.C., is getting fast-tracked through the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) finished the procedural maneuver on Monday, allowing for the presidential contender’s legislation to be placed directly on the Senate calendar where it could be scheduled for floor time. No vote has been scheduled.
{mosads}Paul’s proposal would require the District of Columbia to grant concealed carry permits to both District residents and nonresidents. It would also require the District to honor concealed carry licenses from other states and roll back D.C. laws that currently restrict gun and ammunition ownership.
Paul tried to include a similar proposal in the ObamaCare repeal bill passed by the Senate last week. That failed in a 54-45 vote, with 60 votes needed to include the amendment in the larger reconciliation package, which is expected to be vetoed if it reaches President Obama’s desk.
“The District of Columbia police chief said that if you see an active shooter, take them down,” the Kentucky Republican said Thursday night ahead of the vote on his amendment. “The problem is it’s very difficult to own a gun in D.C., and it’s merely impossible to be able to have a gun with you if you were to see an active shooter.”
Paul would likely need the support of at least six Senate Democrats to overcome any procedural hurdles to move the stand-alone legislation through the Senate. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) was the only Democrat to vote in favor of Paul’s amendment last week; Republican Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.) voted against it.
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