Boehner opposes gun-free-zone measure

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- House Speaker John Boehner opposes a gun control bill proposed by a fellow Republican in response to the Tucson, Ariz., shooting spree, his spokesman says.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said Tuesday he would introduce legislation forbidding anyone to carry firearms within 1,000 feet of members of Congress.

King said the legislation is meant to protect the public as well as officials.

"The fact is they do represent the people who elect them, and it's essential, if we're going to continue to have contact, that the public who are at these meetings are ensured of their own safety," he said.

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told The Hill the Ohio Republican would not support King's legislation while the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said he would have to review it before taking a position.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., also are preparing legislation to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines like those used by alleged Arizona gunman Jared Loughner. But Rep. James Moran, D-Va., expressed doubt any bill with teeth would advance.

"Anything you can get through the gun lobby is going to have little consequence. I don't see the likelihood of much progress," Moran said.

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., introduced a bill Wednesday to prevent gun sellers who have had their licenses revoked from transferring their inventory to their personal collections before selling the weapons "fire-sale style" without background checks, The Hill reported.

"After this weekend's tragedy, it's clear that Congress must close troubling loopholes in federal gun control laws that let firearms fall into the hands of convicted felons, fugitives, domestic violence perpetrators and severely emotionally disturbed individuals," Ackerman said in a statement.

"Every gun sold should require a background check, period."