# Plain Language Summary: No Congressional Gun Loophole Act

This bill closes what supporters see as a loophole that allows members of Congress and their staff to carry guns inside the Capitol building. Currently, while most people are prohibited from bringing firearms into the Capitol, members of Congress and their employees have been able to carry guns there. This bill would change that by preventing Congress members and their staff from carrying firearms on their person or having them readily accessible while inside the Capitol building.

The only exception the bill allows is for storing a firearm in a locked car parked in a Capitol garage, but only if the gun owner follows all of Washington D.C.'s firearms laws. This means someone couldn't just keep a loaded gun in their desk drawer or carry one in a holster while walking the halls of Congress. The Capitol Police Board, which oversees security in the building, would no longer be able to grant special permission for Congress members or their employees to carry guns inside.

The practical effect is that Congress members and their staff would be treated the same as visitors and other federal employees when it comes to firearms in the Capitol building—they simply wouldn't be allowed to carry them. Supporters argue this improves security in the building, while opponents might argue it restricts the rights of elected officials. The rule would take effect 15 days after the bill becomes law, if it passes.

No Congressional Gun Loophole Act

Huffman, Jared

No Congressional Gun Loophole Act This bill prohibits the Capitol Police Board from allowing Members of Congress or their staff to carry firearms on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol or in its buildings. Members and their staff may store firearms in their cars in Capitol complex garages if their possession complies with the firearms laws of the District of Columbia and the firearms are locked with gun locks while on the complex. Current board regulations allow Members of Congress to keep firearms in their offices; the regulations also allow Members and their staff to transport unloaded and securely wrapped firearms within the Capitol grounds. Firearms are prohibited inside the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as in adjacent lobbies and cloakrooms, the galleries, the Marble Room of the Senate, and the Rayburn Room of the House, unless approved by the Sergeants at Arms for security purposes.