Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who is vocally supportive of Second Amendment rights and her intent to carry a firearm in the Capitol, reportedly got into a standoff with Capitol police who wouldn’t allow her to enter without first searching her bag after the newly-installed metal detector’s security alarm sounded.
Capitol police ultimately let the freshman congresswoman into the House chamber, apparently without searching her bag, according to CNN’s Washington correspondent Ryan Nobles.
“I am legally permitted to carry my firearm in Washington, D.C. and within the Capitol complex,” Boebert tweeted following the incident. “Metal detectors outside of the House would not have stopped the violence we saw last week — it’s just another political stunt by Speaker Pelosi.”
Lawmakers are now required to pass through new metal detectors installed at the Capitol in order to get onto the chamber floor. The measure has drawn the ire of other Republican lawmakers.
Congresswoman Debbie Lesko also condemned the new metal detectors, tweeting, “For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures, on top of security we already go through. These new provisions include searches and being wanded like criminals.”
“We now live in Pelosi’s communist America!” the congresswoman continued.
The new security measures were introduced Tuesday, days after a protest in the nation’s capital turned violent, forcing the Capitol building to evacuate and for lawmakers and staffers who remained inside to shelter in place.
“Effective immediately, all persons, including Members, are required undergo security screening when entering the House Chamber,” acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett wrote Tuesday, according to a memo obtained by the New York Post.
“Failure to complete screening or the carrying of prohibited items could result in denial of access to the Chamber,” Blodgett continued. “Members not wearing a mask will not be admitted to the Floor and Members who fail to wear a mask will be removed from the Floor.”
Echoing Boebert and Lesko, several other lawmakers criticized the new security procedures.
“This is bulls–t,” Rep. Rodney Davis told law enforcement as he was checked, adding that the new system was “horses–t and Republican were not consulted on the changes.
Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert chose to walk around the metal detector and onto the House floor.
“You can’t stop me; I’m on my way to a vote,” Gohmert said as he walked by security.
Recently, Boebert announced she would be co-chairing the Second Amendment Caucus “to fight for your Constitutional rights.”
“The Second Amendment is more important now than ever before, but the far Left wants to take it away,” she tweeted. “[Rep. Thomas Massie] and I are fighting back.”
