Rigell Defends Military Families' Right to Self Protection

Press Release

Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) today introduced the Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act. The bill allows military spouses to purchase handguns in the state that their husband or wife is permanently stationed for duty, or in the surrounding state if the military spouse commutes across state borders to their duty installation.

"Considering the threats we face from Islamic extremists, foreign and domestic, and lone wolves, it is prudent that our military families have the tools they need to protect their loved ones," said Congressman Scott Rigell, who was among the first to coordinate federal and state efforts to protect military families after ISIS released a 100 name "hit list' of military targets. "Spouses should be able to purchase handguns in the state where their husband or wife is stationed. They have the right to protect themselves, and this bill allows them to fully exercise their 2nd Amendment right," added Rigell.

Rigell, whose district is home to more active duty and retired men and women in uniform than any other congressional district in the country, said a military family contacted him when they were unable to purchase a handgun in their duty station's state. The Gun Control Act of 1968 restricts citizens from legally purchasing a handgun in any state other than the one in which they reside. An exception to this law was made for active duty service members who are on permanent duty station orders, so that they can be considered a resident of the state in which they are assigned. However, no exception was made for military spouses.

In light of recent ISIS threats to military families in Virginia and elsewhere, Rigell emphasized the importance of this legislation. "ISIS, and other terrorist organizations that do not share our nation's values, see confrontation with the United States as inevitable, and desperately seek new ways to harm our fellow Americans - particularly members of our military community and their loved ones," said Rigell, who noted that nearly twenty of the families publicly targeted by ISIS' recent "hit list' reside in Hampton Roads. "We have an obligation to protect these men and women and ensure they have access to the resources they need to defend themselves and their families in any community they are stationed for duty."

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