Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R., Utah) is well-known for packing heat when he is in his home district. But he’s far from the only congressman who carries a gun. “There are members out there who carry, who don’t talk about it publicly,” he tells us. “It’s for personal-security purposes or their own personal choice.”
When it comes to concealed carry, Chaffetz says, the House is a “reflection of what goes on in America — some people do, some people don’t. And some choose not to talk about it.”
In light of the tragic shooting in Tucson, Chaffetz says he will continue to carry a firearm to most public events back home. But when it comes to bringing a weapon to Washington, he disagrees with Rep. Louie Gohmert (R., Texas), who is pushing to allow members to carry guns in the District of Columbia and on the House floor.
“I don’t think there should be special laws or rules for members of Congress,” he says. He also has no desire to carry inside of the Capitol: “I’ve never carried in Washington, D.C. You have a virtual army of people here — it’s the number-one terrorist target in the world and you have a policeman steps away at any moment, panic buttons in every office.”