A House committee struck down a proposed amendment that would have allowed visitors from other states to carry concealed weapons in the District of Columbia.
The amendment failed Thursday by a 24-3 vote in the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, introduced the amendment, saying that people shouldn't have to forfeit their Constitutional right to bear arms by being in the nation's capital.
District leaders fiercely opposed the amendment, calling it a violation of home rule that would make the city less safe.
“Gun regulation is especially important in the District of Columbia given the presence of all elected federal government officials as well as the diplomatic community and given that the District is a known target for terrorism,” D.C. Councilman and Judiciary Committee Chairman Phil Mendelson said.
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, said it would have been “arrogant” for Congress to adopt the amendment.
“The amendment took disrespect of the District to a new low, because the underlying bill expressly protects the rights of jurisdictions that prohibit concealed carry,” D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said.
House Committee Defeats D.C. Concealed Gun Amendment
Bill would have allowed visitors to carry concealed weapons in D.C.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
