Charles Heller, one of the co-founders of the pro gun-rights Arizona Citizens Defense League , tells me that the group has put together model legislation that would require the state to help train members of Congress and their staff in the use of firearms.
“Our model legislation is called the Giffords-Zimmerman Act,” said Heller. (Giffords staffer Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, was killed on Saturday.) “It would require the Arizona Department of Public Safety to provide firearms training, using firearms confiscated by the state, to members of Congress and people who work for them. Facilities would be made available to them in a way that wouldn’t interfere with the training of police and other safety employees.”
Heller speculated that a response like this could prevent future attacks on members of Congress. “I don’t think having a firearm on her would do Congresswoman Giffords any good,” said Heller. “However, if it was known that members of her staff were well armed, that very well could have dissuaded [the shooter].”
The AzCDL, founded in 2005, has
successfully lobbied
for more lax gun laws in the state.
