Cassidy, Risch, Republican Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Second Amendment Rights During Government Shutdowns

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act to ensure law-abiding gun owners can exercise their Second Amendment rights during government shutdowns. The bill would require federal agencies to continue processing firearm applications and licenses despite a lapse in appropriations.

"The Constitution doesn't stop working when the government shuts down. The right to protect your family is God-given. We should process these applications regardless of the Schumer Shutdown," said Dr. Cassidy.

"The government shutdown has real impacts on real people, but it certainly should not compromise our constitutional rights. While Democrats pander to their far-Left base, federal agencies have stopped processing firearm applications, unjustly restricting law-abiding Idahoans' Second Amendment rights," said Senator Risch. "My Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures our right to lawfully bear arms is not infringed when there is a lapse in appropriations."

Cassidy and Risch were joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) in introducing the legislation.

BackgroundDuring government shutdowns, federal agencies are limited in the work they can conduct. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have halted most operations associated with the background checks and licensing applications due to the shutdown, impacting law-abiding gun owners and disrupting firearm sales nationwide.

###