MEMPHIS, TN - America's lawmakers are packing heat. After the shooting of U.S. Congresswoman Gabbie Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, legislators across the country are rethinking their own personal security.
U.S. Representative Steve Cohen tells abc24.com that he is among those ready to bear arms. The Memphis Democrat has decided to get a handgun carry permit. He's owned a gun for years. But now, he says, the time has come to lock and load it, and be ready for anything.
Cohen got his first terrifying taste of the harsh political climate in this country during a 2009 town hall meeting on health care reform. The venue was packed to capacity, extra security was called in to keep the peace, but that did little to stop the screaming, shoving and angry outbursts, most directed at the Congressman.
At one point, Randy Wade, Cohen's Chief-of-Staff at the time, asked that all those who were carrying guns, even if they were doing so legally, leave the meeting.
"It was scary," says Rep. Cohen. "I realized the guns, if there were any guns, that I was the one who was in jeopardy."
After the massacre in Arizona showed just how deadly interactions with the public can be, Cohen made up his mind to become legally licensed to carry a weapon.
"Before the shooting in Tucson," he says, "I never kept my gun loaded. But I did load my pistol and I've got it out in my home. And I just thought I should have a permit. If there's a time I'd like to have my gun in my possession, I'd like to do it legally."
Unlike Democratic North Carolina Congressman Heath Shuler, and Republican Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz, Congressman Cohen does not plan to pack heat while conducting business with other lawmakers in Washington.
According to Terrence Gainer, the Senate Sergeant At Arms, that's the way the Capitol Hill Police would prefer it.
"I've been a policeman for 42 years," he tells ABC News, "and I don't think introducing more guns to the situation is helpful."
Back at home in Memphis, meetings with our elected representatives will be very different in the future. Members of Congress, historically, haven't had local protection. Look for more Memphis police officers and Shelby County sheriff's deputies next time Cohen or any his colleagues meet with their constituents.
"We'll have more security in the future," says Rep. Cohen, "to protect the public, as well as my staff and myself. I mean, I've felt the political climate. There are people who aren't well-adjusted."
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, already has a gun carry permit. U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-TN, does not. U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee, R-MS, doesn't have one. The staff for U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-AR, did not provide an answer.
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-TN, while a big gun rights advocate, does not have a permit to carry a weapon, according to his spokesperson. The answer from a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-TN, is "no comment".
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, doesn't have a license to carry, either. The staff for U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-AR, did not give abc24.com any information.
Late Tuesday, there was no answer at the Washington offices of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-MS, or U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-MS. The Senate does not reconvene for two more weeks. The Congress meets Wednesday and is expected to discuss the tragedy in Tucson along with improved federal security.
