Some Republican members of the House of Representatives have formed what they're calling the congressional Second Amendment Caucus on Thursday.
According to reports, the group is being led by Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie with the goal of drafting and sponsoring pro-gun legislation in the upcoming session of Congress. The group released a statement that read, in part:
Caucus members will lead efforts in the House of Representatives to pass meaningful firearms legislation and protect Americans against infringements of the Second Amendment.
The inaugural members of the new caucus include Republican Reps. Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Ted Yoho (Fla.), Brian Babin (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Alex Mooney (W.Va.), Justin Amash (Mich.), Jody Hice (Ga.), Dave Brat (Va.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Scott Perry (Pa.) and James Comer (Ky.). Other member will be allowed to join if their voting record on gun legislation is acceptable to the caucus members.
According to The Washington Free Beacon, Massie noted that the Republican majority in Congress, as well as the election of a Republican president, contributed to the timing of the group's decision to form.
"The recent election results present us with a new opportunity to advance pro-gun legislation and reverse the erosion of the Second Amendment that’s occurred over the last few decades,” he said, according to the Free Beacon. “I look forward to working with the new president and this determined group of conservatives to promote a pro-gun agenda.”
The group plans to sponsor and support pro-Second Amendment legislation, and take an active role in the education and training of caucus members by inviting firearms experts and constitutional scholars to speak with the group on a regular basis.
