New York Rep. Chris Collins to carry gun after baseball shooting

ALBANY - A congressman from western New York says he will begin carrying a firearm after a gunman opened fire Wednesday as the Republican congressional baseball team practiced in suburban Virginia.

Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, Erie County, told a Buffalo television station Wednesday he will carry a gun in his pocket while he's in public, pointing to the shooting that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and several others injured.

Collins told WKBW-TV that he has a concealed carry permit and will carry a firearm "from this day forward" when he's "out and about."

"On a rare occasion, I would have my gun in a glove box or something," Collins told the television station. "But it's going to be in my pocket from this day forward."

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A New York concealed carry permit holder would not be able to carry their firearm in Washington D.C., which does not recognize permits from other jurisdictions.

Five people were transported to a local hospital following the early Wednesday shooting, according to police in Alexandria, Virginia.

The suspected shooter ultimately died from his injuries, according to President Trump.

No members of New York's Republican congressional delegation were believed to be at the baseball field at the time of the shooting.

None of the state's nine Republican representatives are listed on the roster for the GOP team, which was practicing ahead of an annual charity game Thursday against Democrats.

A spokeswoman for Collins confirmed he was not at the field.

Collins is a strong supporter of Trump, often acting as a surrogate on national television to defend the president and his administration.

He hails from one of the state's most conservative districts, which is home to counties in the rural areas between Rochester and Buffalo.

In a statement, Collins called Wednesday's attack "absolutely devastating."

“While it is apparent that the shooter was a zealot with an intention to cause harm, it is important that we all be cognizant that our words have strong meaning," he said. "It’s time for all of us, including myself, to tone down our rhetoric and recognize that we are all of one country and all proud Americans.”