WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor tonight urging his colleagues to support his amendment No. 2915 to H.R.3761, Restoring American’s Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. The amendment, known as the Defend Our Capital Act of 2015, would remove existing restrictive firearm ownership laws in the District of Columbia, and require the District of Columbia to issue and grant reciprocity for concealed weapons permits for both residents and non-residents.

The vote, which needed 60 to pass, was 54-45.

Click HERE to read the Defend Our Capital Act in its entirety. Top-line bullet points and background information for the legislation can be found HERE.

The video and transcript of Sen. Paul’s remarks can be found below.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SEN. PAUL’S FLOOR SPEE CH

TRANSCRIPT

Sen. Paul: Last week, the District of Columbia Police Chief said that if you see an active shooter, take them down.

The problem is it’s very difficult to own a gun in D.C., and it’s nearly impossible to be able to have a gun with you if you were to see an active shooter.

So my amendment would create a District of Columbia concealed carry permit program. It would also allow national reciprocity for concealed carry.

And it would also allow active duty forces to carry concealed carry on Department of Defense properties.

And I ask the Senate and those Senators who believe in self-defense to vote for this amendment.

###