CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., is optimistic a bill reducing regulations on purchasing and selling firearms to out-of-state buyers could receive enough bipartisan support to pass out of the House of Representatives.
Mooney is a cosponsor of the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, which would eliminate certain restrictions on interstate transactions, thus allowing legal firearm purchases across state lines.
“It makes it clear you have to comply with all of the laws of that state. I’m not sure what is controversial about this,” he said Thursday at a press conference. “It’s only an 18 vote differential. Out of 235 Democrats, 18 can vote for it, and it could pass.”
House Resolution 2443 — introduced earlier this month by House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. — would allow licensed dealers to sell firearms to people in other states as long as both groups comply with the laws in each state. The measure would also allow licensed dealers to sell firearms at out-of-state gun shows as long as no laws are broken, as well as enable military personnel to purchase guns in states where they permanently serve, where they work and where they live while serving.
Mooney said the bill serves as a national recommitment to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Consitution.
“West Virginians should have the freedom to be safe in their homes and communities,” he said. “I will continue to lead the charge on this effort because it is worth fighting for.”
Mooney did not pass an opportunity to criticize the House’s majority party, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“There are some in Congress now — the speaker of the House — who would go the other way with this and promote more gun control and try to take advantage of misuses and sad moments to try to push gun control when, actually, it’s our Second Amendment — the right to keep and bear arms — that protects us from being harmed.”
Since Democrats took control of the House in January, the chamber has passed two gun control measures; one bill would extend the background check period from three days to 10 days, and a second measure would expand background checks to purchases made outside of licensed dealers, including gun shows and online.
“They view it as guns are bad, and they’re not seeing the cases where guns are used to defend your life, your property and your home,” Mooney added.
The National Rifle Association’s lobbying arm and the West Virginia Citizens Defense League support the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act.