ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR CONCEALED CARRY BILL TO ENHANCE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR TENNESSEANS

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  An original co-sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted today for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill that would allow any Tennessean licensed to carry a concealed handgun in his home state, to carry it in another where concealed-carry is also legal, as long that person follows local law.

            “The right to self-defense is an unalienable one and the most important to protecting ourselves from harm,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), “as the Supreme Court has decided. Our Constitution guarantees that right – and also that states must respect our common laws.”

            “Today’s bill ensures Tennesseans who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights will face no undue burden when traveling to gun-friendly states,” he said. The Congressman is a strong Second Amendment supporter, as well as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, who after terror attacks at a recruitment center and military facility near Chattanooga in 2015, guided passage of a law allowing more service members to carry firearms on base.

            He has voted to allow federal law enforcement officers to carry their firearms when on furlough, in case of a government shutdown, and endorsed other pro-Second Amendment solutions to self-defense. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act prevents criminals from abusing the law. The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and National Shooting Sports Foundation endorse the legislation.

            The NRA awarded Rep. DesJarlais an “A” grade for his work to protect Americans’ gun rights.

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