Daines Reintroduces Bill To Protect Gun Owners

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has reintroduced a bill to protect the Second Amendment and law-abiding gun owners. The bill would reform the “Firearm Owners Protection Act” to protect travelers who are transporting firearms across state lines.

“Montanans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms,” Daines said. “I will always defend the Second Amendment and work to strengthen protections for law-abiding gun owners, including the right to safely transport firearms. We’ve already seen President Biden threaten the Second Amendment and we must act now to protect these rights for all Americans.”

Daines’ bill is cosponsored by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Michael Crapo (Idaho), James Lankford (Okla.), Ted Cruz (Texas),and Michael Rounds (S.D.).

Daines’ bill reforms FOPA to: Clarify the term “transport” as to include, “staying in temporary lodging overnight, stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, medical treatment, and any other activity incidental”.

Ensure that law-abiding gun owners may not be arrested for violation of local laws relating to “the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms” unless there is probable cause.

Clarify that transportation of firearms, their magazines, and ammunition is federally protected.

Make clear that a violation of the right to transport firearms is judicially enforceable as a federal civil right.