Rounds Leads Traveler’s Gun Rights Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today reintroduced the Traveler’s Gun Rights Act. This legislation would update federal law to account for various residency-related issues facing full-time Recreational Vehicle (RV) travelers, individuals with multiple physical residences, active duty military personnel and military spouses.
“As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am committed to protecting the rights of lawful gun owners,” said Rounds. “The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act removes an unfair prohibition facing Americans with unique living situations. This legislation will make certain that law-abiding citizens do not face a burdensome roadblock when trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
Currently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requires firearm buyers to fill out paperwork listing an address. However, the ATF prohibits buyers from listing a P.O. Box or Private Mailbox (PMB) on this form. This prohibition unfairly hurts full-time travelers, many of whom live in their RV year round and utilize a P.O. Box or PMB in order to receive mail. These alternate addresses are able to be listed on driver’s licenses, but they cannot be used on the ATF paperwork.
Rounds led a group of nine senators in introducing this bill, including Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).
This bill is endorsed by the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), The Firearm Industry Trade Association.
“The NRA greatly appreciates Senator Rounds for sponsoring legislation to uphold the constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights of those who travel full-time,” said Brian Calabrese, managing director for Federal Affairs, National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.
“The Second Amendment rights of Americans should never be denied simply because some Americans choose to use a post office box address instead of a physical address,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association. “This is especially important to Americans with unique living situations that aren’t fixed physical locations and those active duty military members who routinely move from one location to another. Senator Rounds’ legislation fixes this overlooked obstacle that disenfranchises citizens of the full spectrum of their Second Amendment rights while ensuring the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System ensures firearms remain out of the hands of those who should never possess them.”
Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.).
Click HERE for full bill text.
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