Legal Commentary

Proposed Bill Outlawing Private Citizens? Carrying Guns Within 1000 Feet of ?High-Profile? Officials

By Eugene Volokh

The Chris Moody (Daily Caller) reports:

New York Republican Rep. Peter King said Tuesday that he will introduce legislation to ban the carrying of any firearm within 1,000 feet of what he described as ?high-profile government officials.? ...

I would assume that any such bill would require that the carrier know, or at least have reason to know, that such an official is nearby; and I take it that it would have to give the carriers an opportunity to leave when they learn that an official is nearby. (Otherwise, what would a carrier have to do ? drop the gun?)

But in any event, it seems to me to be likely a serious interference with people?s ability to defend themselves, with little real protection for the officials. Would-be assassins would violate this law just as they violate murder laws, and it seems unlikely that the police will somehow be able to use the law to arrest the would-be assassins before the shooting, because they wouldn?t know who the violators are.

In any case, it would be interesting to see the details of the bill when it is introduced, if it is introduced.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on January 11, 2011 (boomark / email).