Heath Shuler says he packing a gun now

In response to the Arizona shooting rampage, NC Congressman Heath Shuler has confirmed that he will carry a gun himself for protection at state public events.

“I, like many of my constituents and staff in Western North Carolina, strongly support the Second Amendment and do exercise our right to legally and safely carry a firearm,” Shuler (Democrat-Waynesville) said in a statement to the Times-News.

Shuler was first quoted by Politico on Monday as saying he would be armed for future events.

"You never think something like this will happen, but then it does," Shuler said. "After the elections, I let my guard down. Now I know I need to have (my gun) on me. We're going to need to do a much better job of with security at these events."

Shuler has said he’s encouraging his staff members to apply for the same NC conceal and carry permits he already has. He does not intend to carry his gun in the District of Columbia, where gun control laws are stricter than NC but a handgun ban no longer exist due to a 2008 Supreme Court ruling

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