2 Lawmakers to Carry Guns in Home Districts - Dem Shuler

[RamboLiberal]

In the wake of the horrific shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday, some lawmakers have already decided that they need to do more to protect themselves.

Two members of Congress - Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) - told Politico that they plan to carry guns while in their home districts. Both men hold conceal and carry permits. They do not plan to carry the weapons while in the District of Columbia.

Lawmakers receive a measure of protection from the U.S. Capitol Police while in the District, though the vast majority are not provided with any protection elsewhere. (The leaders of the House and Senate do get a security detail.) Many travel only with unarmed staffers and have little in the way of protection when away from the Capitol.

On Sunday afternoon, Capitol Police held a conference call with House lawmakers from both parties. House Speaker John Boehner told members that the House Sergeant at Arms, Capitol Police and FBI will hold a security briefing for Members on Wednesday, CBS News Senior Political Producer Jill Jackson reports.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027952-503544.html?tag=stack

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

1. Well, I sure hope a shooter alerts you and stands still for you.

Good luck with all that.

[Mark Maker]

2. Didn't do Rep. Gabrielle Giffords a bit of good now did it.

Democratic House candidate, Arizona’s Eighth District
Gabrielle Giffords owns a Glock handgun, and as a two-term Democratic congresswoman representing a swing district in Arizona’s rugged southeast, she may have needed to stress that.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/28/target-practice/gabrielle-giffords.html

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Is there any evidence she had it with her

Or are you just being snarky

[howaboutme]

3. I support it

If it gives them a sense of security I support it. In actuality it is probably a false sense of security because it is impossible to prepare for such an unexpected attack at close quarters in public. Still it would be better to be armed than unarmed and have no defense.

This is the only such attack in many years to my recollection although Democratic legislative members were attacked by anthrax. My concern is that it will give them an excuse to isolate themselves from the public. If it does we need to vote them out. If they can't take the heat then they need to find another job. Their job is to represent us and that means being open to public discussion and interface.

My Congressman uses "Tele-Townhall" meetings which can be manipulated as they can pre-exclude or include callers and questions at their whim.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Be of more use to carry in DC according to the stats