Senators want to ease gun restrictions for military spouses

A group of Republican senators want to make it easier for military spouses to buy guns.

Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have introduced legislation that would allow the husband or wife of a service member to buy a gun in the state where their spouse is stationed.

{mosads}It would also allow them to buy a gun in a neighboring state if the service member crosses a state’s border to go to their base.

According to Rounds’s office, military spouses are currently limited to legally buying a gun in the state that is their permanent residence.

The South Dakota Republican pointed to recent shootings at military bases as a reason for the legislation.

“At a time of increased threats on military bases and to members of our Armed Forces, it is as important as ever to give military families the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones,” he said in a statement.

Troop safety has been under a congressional spotlight since a shooting at two military facilities in Tennessee earlier this year that killed five. In reaction to the incident, a handful of lawmakers have separately proposed letting troops carry guns while at a military base.

Thune added that Congress must do what it can “to make life safer and easier for these military families who sacrifice a great deal for America.”

Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) is offering similar legislation in the House.