By John McAdams via wideopenspaces.com
The Protect Our Military Families 2nd Amendment Rights Act would make it legal for military spouses to purchase handguns in the state that their husband or wife is permanently stationed while on active duty. According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, citizens may not purchase a handgun in any state that they are not legally considered a resident. A special exception is made for members of the military serving on active duty which allows them to purchase handguns in the state where they are stationed. Unfortunately, this exception does not apply to military spouses. Representative Scott Rigell of Virginia is aiming to change this problem with The Protect Our Military Families 2nd Amendment Rights Act . . .
Rigell has more active duty and retired service members than any other congressional district in the country, so he is very sensitive to the concerns of military families.
According to Rigell, the impetus for this bill was when he was contacted by a military family contacted him after being unable to purchase a handgun in their state in which they were stationed.
Representative Rigell had the following to say about protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of military spouses:
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. 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. 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.
Full text of the Protect Our Military Families 2nd Amendment Rights Act is available here.