Pete King Files 1,000-Foot Gun-Ban Bill
By Michael McAuliffDaily News
January 26, 2011
Rep. Pete King filed his bill today to ban guns within 1,000 feet of federal events, offering fines and up to 10 years in prison for violators.
The Long Island Republican who heads the Homeland Security Committee was reacting to the Tucson shootings that killed six people and left Rep. Gabby Giffords seriously injured.
The measure would not make it against the law to be packing heat when an official happened to be passing by. It targets planned events, like campaign stops or the Congress on Your Corner event Giffords was holding when a gunman opened fire.
Guns would be banned for a half hour before and after the official was in attendance.
The bill exempts law enforcement officials, people who own guns in their own home or business, and some others.
It also would let people carry weapons locked in a case, with ammo locked in a separate case.
“While this legislation would not prevent all shootings at public events, police experts tell me it would be a valuable tool toward preventing attacks such as the tragic assassination attempt against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords," King said.
"A main purpose of this bill is to encourage citizens to attend these public events by giving them a greater sense of security,” he added.
So far, the leaders of his party have shown no enthusiasm for passing the measure, and looks unlikely to move.