HYDE-SMITH RENEWS SUPPORT FOR BILLS PROTECTING 2A RIGHTS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES, FULL-TIME TRAVELERS
Miss. Senator Sponsors Two Bills to Remove Current Hurdles in the Gun Control Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has joined U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing two bills to enhance the Second Amendment rights of individuals with no fixed physical address.
Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act (S.961) and Traveler’s Gun Rights Act (S.966), both of which would amend the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) to protect the Second amendment rights of military families and full-time travelers. Current federal restrictions often limit the ability of these groups to obtain firearms legally.
“Bureaucratic hurdles shouldn’t stand in the way of law-abiding Americans – including our brave servicemembers and their families – exercising their constitutional rights to own a firearm,” said Hyde-Smith. “These bills are about ensuring that Americans, no matter where they live or how they live, can freely exercise their Second Amendment rights without unnecessary interference.”
“As a hunter, a lawful gun owner and a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am committed to protecting the rights of lawful gun owners,” said Rounds. “The laws currently on the books do not go far enough in acknowledging the unique living situations of many Americans, including military families and full-time travelers. These bills would amend the law to remove roadblocks for law-abiding citizens trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
S.961 would allow licensed dealers to sell or ship firearms to the spouses of active-duty military members. Under the GCA, citizens can only purchase firearms in the state where they are considered residents. Currently, the GCA also allows exceptions for service members, but not their spouses.
S.966 would clarify the terms “state of residence” and “residence” to include private mailboxes and post office boxes. Despite the fact that these addresses are often used for driver’s licenses and other official documentation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) currently does not recognize them as valid for firearms transaction records.
Both measures, which have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, have been endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
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