Rep. Chris Collins (R., N.Y.) told WKBW-TV on Wednesday that he will carry his 9-millimeter handgun at future public events.
Hours before the interview, a gunman who police identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill. opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for the bipartisan congressional charity baseball game, wounding several people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R., La.).
LISTEN: @RepChrisCollins says he'll carry a handgun at public events moving forward. #VAshooting @WKBW @ABC pic.twitter.com/3Im9bUtiiM
— Ali Touhey (@Ali2e) June 14, 2017
"You look at the vulnerability. I can assure you from this day forward, I have a carry permit," Collins said. "I will be carrying when I'm out and about, which I have to tell you, I have not been even though I have a carry permit at home."
"You wouldn't carry prior to this event. Is that what you're saying?" WKBW reporter Ali Touhey asked him.
Collins said that he would carry his gun on "rare occasion" in his glove box, but said that he would be carrying it in his pocket in the future.
.@RepChrisCollins tells me he plans to carry his 9 millimeter handgun at public events moving forward. @WKBW
— Ali Touhey (@Ali2e) June 14, 2017