Pete King Wants to Ban Guns Near Lawmakers

His proposed bill is meant to protect the public as well
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 12, 2011 8:27 AM CST
Pete King Wants to Ban Guns Near Lawmakers
Rep. Peter King, R-NY, is seen a news conference about the proposed move of Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

In the wake of Saturday’s tragic shootings in Tucson, one of the rare pro-gun control Republican representatives is trying to make it illegal to carry a gun near members of Congress and certain other federal officials. Rep. Peter King’s proposed bill is designed not just to protect lawmakers, but also to protect members of the public who want to meet with them, he tells Politico. It’s not yet clear whether the Republican-controlled House will consider the legislation.

King’s bill would make it illegal to knowingly carry a gun within 1,000 feet of the president, vice president, and federal judges, among others. Though he is the first Republican to introduce gun control legislation following the shootings, his fellow New York representative, Democrat Carolyn McCarthy, wants to restrict the sale of high-capacity ammo clips similar to what Jared Loughner allegedly used. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also advocating for gun control solutions including overhauling the federal background check system.
(More Gabrielle Giffords stories.)

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