Crapo, Risch, Rounds Introduce Traveler’s Gun Rights Act

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) introduced 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.

“No law-abiding American should be denied their Second Amendment rights,” said Crapo.  “Military spouses and RV owners are just two examples of full-time travelers who are blocked from obtaining a firearm under current law.  The Traveler's Gun Rights Act is a commonsense solution that will finally address this oversight.”

“An individual’s decision not to hold a traditional address should not preclude them from exercising the rights afforded to them in the U.S.  Constitution,” said Risch.  “The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act protects law-abiding gun owners’ Second Amendment rights regardless of their living situation.”

“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.

This bill is endorsed by the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

“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.”

Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) also co-sponsored the legislation.