HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS TRAVELER’S GUN RIGHTS ACT

Bill to Protect the 2nd Amendment Rights of Full-time RVers, Active Duty Military

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday joined U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing legislation that would remove roadblocks that prevent individuals with no fixed physical residence from completing an instant background check prior to a firearm transfer.

The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act (S.741) would clarify “state of residence” and “resident” in the Gun Control Act of 1968 to overcome various residency-related issues facing full-time recreational vehicle travelers, individuals with multiple physical residences, active duty military personnel, and military spouses.

“Bureaucratic red tape shouldn’t be used to stop law-abiding Americans and our brave servicemembers from purchasing a firearm.  It’s their constitutional right, and that’s what the Traveler’s Gun Rights Act would protect,” Hyde-Smith said.

“As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am committed to protecting the rights of lawful gun owners,” said Rounds.  “The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act removes an unfair prohibition facing Americans with unique living situations.  This legislation will make certain that law-abiding citizens do not face a burdensome roadblock when trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) currently prohibits firearm buyers from listing a post office box or private mailbox (PMB) on ATF paperwork.  This ATF prohibition unfairly hurts full-time travelers, many of whom live in their RV year-round and utilize a P.O. Box or PMB to receive mail.  These alternate addresses are able to be listed on driver’s licenses, but they cannot be used on the ATF paperwork.

S.741 would preclude the ATF from rejecting private mailboxes on and restore the ability to purchase a firearm to Americans who choose to spend their life on the road.

Additional original cosponsors include U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).

The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Firearm Industry Trade Association endorsed this legislation.

“The NRA greatly appreciates Senator Rounds for sponsoring legislation to uphold the constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights of those who travel full-time,” said Brian Calabrese, National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action managing director for federal affairs.

“The Second Amendment rights of Americans should never be denied simply because some Americans choose to use a post office box address instead of a physical address.  This is especially important to Americans with unique living situations that aren’t fixed physical locations and those active duty military members who routinely move from one location to another,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association senior vice president and general counsel.  “Senator Rounds’ legislation fixes this overlooked obstacle that disenfranchises citizens of the full spectrum of their Second Amendment rights while ensuring the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System ensures firearms remain out of the hands of those who should never possess them.”

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced companion legislation (HR.1508) in the House of Representatives

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