T.J. Kirkpatrick
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to effectively block Washington D.C.’s gun control laws. The Republican-controlled House passed an amendment to end spending on gun control laws local to the nation’s capital. Presented by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the amendment prevents the city from funding its gun regulations, which include bans on “assault”-type rifles and high-capacity magazines and strict restrictions on carrying guns outside of a home. Massie defending his proposal, saying “Why would the D.C. government want to harass and punish law-abiding residents that just want to defend themselves?” He also argued gun restrictions led to higher rates of violent crime. The amendment passed 241 to 181, but it will have to make it pass negotiations with Senate Democrats.