King Wants Gun-Free Zone for Members
It’s not just Democrats who are looking to introduce gun control legislation in the wake of the tragic shootings in Tucson, Ariz.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) announced in New York on Tuesday that he wants to ban people from being able to carry a gun within 1,000 feet of Members of Congress and other high-ranking federal officials.
One of the few pro-gun-control Republicans in the House, King wants the same standard that’s applied to public schools to apply to federal lawmakers, the president, vice president and federal judges.
King joined fellow New Yorker Carolyn McCarthy (D) in calling for the tougher gun laws. McCarthy is expected to introduce legislation as early as Wednesday that would ban the type of extended handgun magazine clip used in the Tucson shooting.
The gun’s high-capacity magazine was illegal under an assault weapons ban that Congress allowed to expire in 2004.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate later this month.