Mo Brooks Introduces “Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act”
On Friday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) introduced the Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act along with 13 cosponsors.
The 13 cosponsors are Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36), Congressman Steve Watkins (KS-02), Congressman Steve King (IA-04), Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01), Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01), Congressman Greg Gianforte (MT-AL), Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03), Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10), Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05) and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).
According to a press release, the Act would “expand the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) ‘transport’ definition to include ‘staying in temporary lodging, stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, medical treatment, or any other activity incidental to the transport.’”
Brooks stated, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’ means that Americans do not relinquish their Second Amendment Rights by simply traveling across state lines,”
“All Americans have the constitutional right to self-defense whether they are at home or traveling,” he continued.
“My bill, the Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act, would bar freedom-hating, anti-Second Amendment states, and localities from prosecuting firearm-transporting travelers who are passing through on the way to their destination who engage in travel-related activities.”
The press release also stated that “Despite FOPA protections, a disturbing trend has emerged wherein anti-Second Amendment states and localities increasingly seek to criminalize the possession of a firearm or ammunition,”
“These freedom-hating jurisdictions continue to seek ways to prosecute travelers merely for the possession of an otherwise lawful firearm. This bill seeks to safeguard otherwise law-abiding gun owners traveling the country from overcriminalization by anti-Second Amendment states and localities.”
“Malicious state laws unconstitutionally criminalize what would otherwise be considered law-abiding activity for the explicit purposes of making gun ownership, possession, and transportation more difficult,” said Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs.
“The Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act complements the Second Amendment in its mission to protect Americans from governmental infringement on the right to keep and bear arms.”
Johnston concluded, “I hope every member of Congress supports this simple legislation that protects gun owners while they travel.”
Dakota Layton graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi where he is working to earn his Master of Arts in Philosophy.
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