Congressional Staffer Could have Stopped Baseball Field Attack

By Dean Weingarten

Congressional Staffer Could Have Stopped Baseball Field Attack
Congressional Staffer Could Have Stopped Baseball Field Attack
Dean Weingarten
Dean Weingarten

Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- In the aftermath of the baseball field assassination attempt on several Republican Congressmen and their staff, we are finding that District of Columbia infringements on the Second Amendment played a significant role in hampering defense against the attack.

From freebeacon.com:

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R., Ga.), who was at the baseball field when the attack took place but survived unscathed, told a group of reporters on Wednesday that while the Capitol Police acted in a heroic way to stop the shooter, things need to change. He said if the attack had happened back in his home state of Georgia, he or his staff may have been armed and able to help stop the attack themselves.

“There are several things to look at,” Rep. Loudermilk said. “If this had happened in Georgia, he wouldn’t have gotten too far. I had a staff member who was in his car, maybe 20 yards behind the shooter. Back in Georgia [he] carries a nine millimeter in his car. I carry a weapon. He had a clear shot at him. But here, we’re not allowed to carry any weapons here.

Several Congressmen have said that having personal weapons at the ball field could have mitigated or shortened the attack.

Representative Mo Brooks from Alabama said that he could have mounted an effective defensive action.  From the washingtonpost.com:

Brooks, who took cover in the first-base dugout during the shooting, said that if he had had his pistol he would have fired at the gunman “with a surprise short-range attack.”

“As a consequence of none of us in that dugout having the ability to defend ourselves, that shooter was able to wound three more people,” he said.

Early efforts for legislation to reform the rigid District of Columbia gun laws have morphed into calls to pass national reciprocity, including the District of Columbia, in the reciprocity formula.

It would be rational for such legislation to cover all territiories that are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Constitution, including federal territories such at the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Samoa.

A source close to the Congressmen involved has been informed that Speaker Paul Ryan read the opinion piece by Representative Tom Massie of Kentucky in the Wall Street Journal.  Ryan is reported as saying the piece convinced him, more than ever, of the importance of national reciprocity.

Update:

There are national reciprocity bills in the U.S. House and in the U.S. Senate. The bill in the House is HB 38. The bill in the Senate is  S. 446. S. 446 has 37 co-sponsors. HB 38 has 200 co-sponsors, including 3 Democrats. Both bills have broad support.  Neither bill currently includes the District of Columbia or the U.S. territories.

There is precedent for national legislation to override state rules to allow the exercise of Second Amendment rights between the states. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) already overrides state law. Officers who could legally carry a gun during their career, and those who meet standards after retirement, are able to carry in all 50 states and in the Territories.  There have already been several federal court rulings to uphold LEOSA.

©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.

Link to Gun Watch

 

About Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

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Nick

Perfect intro for CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY, which currently has over 200 sponsors in Congress. That way I won’t have to stop in Pennsylvania to leave my pistol with relatives when I drive from my home in Florida to visit my family in the “not so free states” of MD, New Jersey, New York, Conn. and Taxachussets. Call , write or text your congressman NOW to get H.R. 38, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act passed .

james

Did you all know that DC considers ANY component of a round of ammunition as ammunition! Yes, that spend shotgun hull, one spent primer, one empty casing, one bullet, one expanded (used) bullet, smokeless powder, buckshot, wads, etc etc etc. An individual may not possess ammunition without also holding a valid firearms registration. Until May 2012, registrants were limited to possessing ammunition of the caliber of their registered weapon only. The ammunition laws in DC were relaxed in May 2012 and valid registration holders may now purchase and transport ammunition of any caliber excepting 50BMG (50 BMG weapons are prohibited… Read more »

Ole sarge

Return fire is always unnerving to a thug expecting to encounter unarmed defenseless victims. The trick is to make it find its target as quickly as safely possible while keeping ones butt safe. Surprise return fire can do wonders to stop an attack by these cowards. Always check reprocity laws when traveling! It could make your day if you have to save your bacon out there. Return fire is never welcomed by the receiver go armed whenever legally possible.

Curt

What we need is Nationwide constitutional carry. A law abiding citizen should have the right to defend their lives and the lives of others by any means necessary. Anywhere they go.

Tionico

Balls. They don’t have them. They need to get them. The Constituion very unambiguously assignes the DUTY to govern Washington DC to…. Congress. If CONGRESS ever find any of the above mentioned items they will simply declare that DC is now no longer a gun free zone. TELL your public servants they are at least to issue the Mother May I Own and Carry a Gun Cards to any law abiding resideint of that city. Better yet, simply declare the Second Article of Amendment to be valid immediately within the boundaries of DC. And speicifally spell out that that means… Read more »

2nd Amender

National Reciprocity……

followed by Term Limits….. and on this issue the people shall take back their Rights with EXTREME PREJUDICE!

Bill N.

Well here I am again. Just one more comment, If the House majority whip hadn’t been there, there would not have been any Capitol Police on the scene when the shooting took place. Only certain members of congress have protection. I haven’t seen any comments about this but it is fact not fiction gentlemen. It could have been much, much worse. Over and out!

Joe

Congress is not addressing the real issue! Different rights based upon where you live. This bill does nothing for people living in NY and CA. It gives outsiders the right to carry, not the people that live in these states.
Are limits on speech acceptable based upon geography?
Is someone more equal because they get elected?

Diana Berger

“It gives outsiders the right to carry, not the people that live in these states.”

I think that part of the idea is that on-the-fence voters in anti-gun states will become more opposed to gun control once they realize that they’re enjoying fewer rights as state taxpayers than people from out of state, because they’re being restricted by the people their taxes are going for.

Bill N.

Well here we go again. I read something about this when the shooting happened. To me it just reaffirms the knowledge of some of our elected representatives and their staff members in Washington, D.C. If the (and I stress IF) Georgia Representative’s staffer knew the law he could have used his weapon for some good instead of “not wanting to get involved”. His Ga, permit is recognized in Virginia, so then, because of the apparent ignorance of the reciprocity laws we have a situation where people are wounded when it could have been prevented by someone who was armed but… Read more »

Wild Bill

@Bill N. We myst not ignore the pansy factor. Even with a firearm and a car, this typical District of Corruption resident preferred to do nothing and let someone else run the risk of getting into trouble. He may, even now, be patting himself on the back for not getting into a position of risk.

Bill N.

Wild Bill, you are missing something. The article calls the staffer a Georgia resident with a Georgia CCW. his butt would have been covered by the reciprocity between Va and Ga. What part of this are you missing? Ga. resident, not DC resident, gun in car. Terrified maybe? If that’s a fact not brought out then keep quiet about the damned gun. It just makes the staffer out to be another congressional dummy staffer. Please notice, no foul language name calling.

Wild Bill

@Bill N. I dunno. What part do you think that I am missing? I just thought that, that being 20 yards behind him, it would take less time and effort to step on the accelerator than stop, get out, rumbaing through my sport bag, maintain situational awareness, make sure it is loaded, aim, and then fire, while the purp was putting distance between us. The true warrior uses what ever means are at hand… or foot.
I think that writing good humor is more effort.

Bill N.

Wild Bill, Not knowing this particular ball field in Alexandria, I would think that there would be some sort of barrier between the parking lot and where the shooter was. A windshield isn’t much protection from AR 15 rounds. Gun in the hand behind my car at would afford some protection. Looks like I stirred up quite a bit of opinions on this matter, and most are really good points. Thanks to all of you. Bill’s out.

Wild Bill

@Bill N.Thank you for the good conversation!

Gregory Romeu

Bill N, Wild Bill was correct. I already pointed out in another comment that the staffer would have implicated himself because his car was in Washington DC prior to the ball practice at the same time had a firearm in his vehicle.

Bill N.

Greg.Where in this article was it mentioned he came from DC? Assuming this? It isn’t even mentioned where this staffer “bunks” when congress is in session and I would think, if it were me, during recess I’d be hightailing it home to Ga, most if not all staffers are from the representative’s home state. Same deal with senators. I try to post something of interest not for argument. Assumption will get you a bucket full of nothing

Steve Anderson

you hit the nail squarely on the head “District of Corruption” and I know that the crime rate in Texas is way lower than many other simple because more of the people are armed and “Criminals” don’t like getting shot back at ! and in these states they will. just like a “Gun Free” zone to me all that is, is an open invitation to a thug to have a great day and doesn’t have to worry about getting shot at !

Gregory Romeu

The staffer was working in the Congressional offices in Washington DC only a few miles away from where the ball field was, therefore he would have been in violation of the law had he had a gun in his car regardless if he was from Georgia and the reciprocity covered him in the state of Virginia. For the Congressional aide even admit that he had a firearm in his possession when coming FROM DC to the Virginia ball field, when he FIRST went into Washington DC to work and then return to the ball field in VA for the practice,… Read more »

Bill N.

That is my true point Greg, He was in violation right from the beginning. I see this as just something else just to say “what if”? Living where I do I am aware of the laws concerning CCW and reciprocity. I thank you for your comment. But do you honestly think the staffer would have been prosecuted if he had taken action and maybe even stopped the whole thing before it even got started? Really?

Tionico

COULD HAVE BEEN… and THAT is the point. Uphold the law, or put yourself at risk of prosecution. Remember the lawyer, jiggered by a flight dif=version and forced to land in Newark, no flights out that night to Puttsburgh, his desitnation? TSA regs FORCED him to take possession of his checked lugglage,,,.. with his lawfully checked handgun inside it. Airline put him up in a Newark Hotel overnight, shuttle back to the airport for his flight out…. TSA informed Newark Port Police of the checked handgun, they arrested the guy at his departure gate on the basis he “had control”… Read more »

Gregory Romeu

I’m pretty sure I could take odds to Las Vegas on a left-wing judge getting ahold of that case and reaming that representative a good one just for being Republican and having a gun. Especially in the media climate that we have these days with all the fake nails and all the left-wing media you damn right they would have mailed his ass to the wall AFTER they called him a hero for one day, and if for no other reason that he is a lawmaker and should have known the law and 28th that, they would make an example… Read more »

Kivaari

They can’t freely move in and out of DC with a gun. Since they likely were going to be at work later in the day it is impractical to pack a gun a few hours in VA then take it home so you could go to work.

Tionico

Remember that young Mama from Philadelphia with her brand new carry pistol and her brand new Mother May I Card issued to her by the State of Pennsylvania? She tossed her two darlin baby girls into the car and drove across into the No Go ZOne of New Joisey. Happened to get stopped by a cop (who, as far as we know, knew she had a carry permit when he ran her plates). She was arrested, her girls taken, for the “crime” of possessing a handgun in Ner Jersey without their Mother May I Card…. which they NEVER issue to… Read more »

Gregory Romeu

Bill N, rather than wait a day or two for the response to show up on the website I figured I would just copy and paste your question to me along with the answer here: Author: Bill N. Comment: Greg.Where in this article was it mentioned he came from DC? Assuming this? It isn’t even mentioned where this staffer “bunks” when congress is in session and I would think, if it were me, during recess I’d be hightailing it home to Ga, most if not all staffers are from the representative’s home state. Same deal with senators. I try to… Read more »

Bill N.

Greg, you’ve made your point for whatever it’s worth. I concede.

LDAVIS

Isn’t interesting how these politicians suddenly recognize the need for personal defense capabilities as a result of this event? With their personal police force, guarded gated communities, and security guards around them whenever they travel, they have lost touch with what the Common Man has to face daily. Suddenly the need for CCW is important, whereas it was almost a non-issue with many of the previously. Funny how that happens.

DrSique

Yup, things look a little different when you’re the proverbial fish looking out from the barrel. As unseemly as this event was, it may have been the right warning shot across the right bow. Now, let’s watch and see if Congress doesn’t attempt to write themselves an exemption to carry laws, instead of giving back the right to self defense for all citizens.

GRAMPA SAM

I just can not picture running the bases with a concealed carry attached… Would probably have left it in the car !!!!

Mike

Not that I prescribe to such tactics but, his personal firearm could have been inside a backpack or even a sports bag. Dont forget this was a practice session and even if it was heavy or bulky it could have been there.

Bill N.

Mike, read the article again. The staffer was in his car, the article plainly states the weapon was in the car, This ain’t rocket science. He was 20 yards behind the shooter. What would you have done?

Wild Bill

@Bill, Run over him with the car, and parked on top of him…by accident… of course!

Bill N.

Wild Bill, I like your humor but I wouldn’t want to mess up my car with that trash. I’d have just taken my weapon out and using my car as cover blown him away or at least forced him to cover. Either way I’m sure there would have been a very different outcome to this whole mess.

MWest

Bill N it states in Georgia is where the staffer carries is firearm . Read more:

“There are several things to look at,” Rep. Loudermilk said. “If this had happened in Georgia, he wouldn’t have gotten too far. I had a staff member who was in his car, maybe 20 yards behind the shooter. Back in Georgia [he] carries a nine millimeter in his car. I carry a weapon. He had a clear shot at him. But here, we’re not allowed to carry any weapons here.

Bill N.

MWest, You are right, I guess I was just caught up in the moment. I’ll read more closely in the future.

Diana Berger

“S. 446 has 37 co-sponsors. HR 38 has 200 co-sponsors, including 3 Democrats. Both bills have broad support.” I must have a different understanding of what “broad support” means. I take it as support arising from distinct avenues. The sponsors of the CCW bills, in contrast, indicate a party-line vote. Only 3 democrats have signed up for the house bill – congressmen from Texas, Georgia and Minnesota (which appears to be a “shall issue” state) As for likelihood of passage, the signs aren’t quite rosy. The House bill is still a few votes short of the sponsors had by similar… Read more »

ras

I believe your assessment is correct. This bill will die on the vine just as the last HPA bill did, and the current HPA bill will also. This is despite having a Republican majority in the House, Senate, and a President who would sign these Bills. This is leaving our 2nd Amendment rights in the hands of the liberal judges who have so far shown nothing but contempt for our constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. Should the Democrats become the majority in 2018, gun ownership and the 2nd Amendment will be a distant memory.

Gary Van Ryswyk

ban all gun-free zones. the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. That means all gun control laws are unconstitutional infringements on our rights.

Gregory Romeu

…and? You didn’t follow through with a solution to this statement. What is YOUR solution to this?

Hunter427

Timing is everything, suddenly Congress is unprotected like the rest of us. Don’t worry they will solve this problem and exclude the serfs. Time for all Americans to have the freedom to be armed

Gregory Romeu

We DO have the RIGHT, but you, lake everyone else has to FIGHT FOR IT!

Chris Mallory

More than likely we will get a special exemption for elected government employees and their staff. Just like the special carve outs given to government thugs with badges.

“all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”

Wake UP People

DC is a jungle, full of wild, dangerous out of control *****, CCW NEEDS to be “SHALL ISSUE”, not May Issue at once in that toilet known as Washington, D.C.

Gregory Romeu

There shouldn’t be ANY type of, “issue” to go open carry OR CCW for law abiding citizens. Criminals have chosen to give up those rights and should forever be excluded from that pool of freedom.

Janek

Ah Duh!