D.C.gun case won't affect Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- A Supreme Court decision on the legality of Washington's gun ban won't affect the firearm rights of members of Congress, says a House staffer.

A spokesman for Sgt. at Arms Bill Livingood says regardless of what the high court decides, members can keep firearms in their offices because D.C. laws don't apply on Capitol grounds, The Hill reported Wednesday.

The newspaper says even if the court overturns the district's 32-year-old handgun ban, many pro-gun lawmakers see little need to pack heat.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., a Second Amendment advocate, points to the high level of security around the Capitol, making it unnecessary to carry a gun.

Still, Ryan and other pro-gun advocates want to see the D.C. ban overturned.

"I've never brought a gun up here," Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., said. "But I think you should be able to."

"I want to keep little doubt in the minds of any potential criminals," Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, said.