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Word on the Hill: D.C. and Guns

Save the date for Dine Out Day

Cherry blossoms were covered with ice on the East Front of the Capitol after snow and freezing rain fell over the region on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Cherry blossoms were covered with ice on the East Front of the Capitol after snow and freezing rain fell over the region on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Alex Gangitano
Posted March 16, 2017 at 12:01am

With gun sales on the decline in the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office, WalletHub conducted a study to find out which states were the most dependent on the gun industry.

The District of Columbia topped the list for highest average wages and benefits in the firearms industry at $348,325. That’s more than 10 times higher than New Mexico, which came in last at $34,232.

But, with the gun lobby and advocates on either side of gun issues clustered in the capital, the number for D.C. makes sense. Massachusetts and Connecticut followed in second and third place, respectively.

No state in the DMV was ranked among the top 10 most dependent on the gun industry and Maryland was ranked 46th — the sixth least-dependent on the gun industry.

Restaurants joining in for Dine Out Day

Dine Out Day is on April 6. As of Wednesday, over 70 D.C. restaurants have pledged to contribute 25 percent to 110 percent of lunch and dinner proceeds from this day to directly benefit Food & Friends, a meal provider for people living with illnesses including HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging diseases. 

Hoyer celebrates Girl Scouts

It’s Girl Scout Week and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., tweeted his support for the organization.

D.C. cultural event of the day

D.C. is getting more Shake Shacks. Today, the Shake Shack in Logan Circle (1400 14th St. NW) opens its doors at 11 a.m. The restaurant expects to have an outdoor patio just in time for spring. Next Thursday, the Shake Shack in Navy Yard (54 M St. SE) opens at 11 a.m. The closest location to Capitol Hill is at the one inside Union Station.

Overheard

“Kiss my boots.”

-Sen. Rand Paul referring to what health insurance companies tell people who own small businesses seeking coverage.

“The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin.”

-Sen. John McCain on Sen. Rand Paul objecting to the Montenegro NATO treaty.

Happy birthday to …

Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., 55.

Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., 54.

What’s going on?

Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.

Rema Rahman and Niels Lesniewski contributed to this report.

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