State Rep. Timothy Horrigan is blasting a proposed bill that would ban people from buying guns with their electronic benefits transfer cards, saying it violates their Second Amendment rights.

EBT cards are part of a system that allows people to use their welfare funds electronically. The proposal is part of Senate Bill 203, and would ban EBT card users from buying items such as alcohol, cigarettes and guns.

Inserting guns into the proposal has both Republicans and Democrats taking shots at each other.

Horrigan, a Democrat and an anti-gun politician, said he wants people on government assistance to be able to buy guns with the card.

Republicans said these are entitlement funds earmarked for food and other essentials instead of firearms.

State Rep. Bill OBrien, a Republican, said Horrigan has consistently voted for tougher gun laws and that his sudden concern with a persons Second Amendment right is a tactic to stall the bill.

They are using Second Amendment arguments to keep it from going through, OBrien said.

Horrigan said his concern is for peoples safety and their constitutional rights.

There may be cases where people need a gun for self-defense or target shooters. You cant buy a fancy gun or ammo, Horrigan said.

Horrigan said EBT cards are a small part of the state budget. The proposed measure must go through a committee during the summer to see if it will advance to the House floor for a vote.

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Lawmakers divided on bill that restricts EBT use