The U.S. Capitol Police have opened an investigation into Rep. Andy Harris’ (R-MD) reported attempt to bring a firearm into the House chamber before he set off the metal detectors at the entrance on Thursday.
“One security official present saw a firearm on the person of Rep. Harris and relayed that to his superiors,” a Capitol official said in a statement to multiple outlets. “To be clear, Rep. Harris did not enter the Floor.”
The Huffington Post reported on Thursday that a police officer found a gun on Harris’ person with a hand held metal detector after the GOP lawmaker set off the magnetometer as he was trying to enter the chamber for a vote earlier in the day.
Capitol Police spokesperson Eva Malecki told the Washington Post that the agency is “investigating the matter.” NBC News also reported on the investigation.
Harris’s chief of staff, Bryan Shuy, told FOX45 that “for security reasons, the Congressman never confirms whether he nor anyone else he’s with are carrying a firearm for self-defense” because “his and his family’s lives have been threatened by someone who has been released awaiting trial.”
“As a matter of public record, he has a Maryland Handgun Permit,” Shuy said. “And the congressman always complies with the House metal detectors and wanding. The Congressman has never carried a firearm on the House floor.”
Acting Sergeant at Arms for the House Timothy Blodgett had the metal detectors installed at the entrance after a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters ransacked the Capitol building.
Several Republicans have flouted the security screening, prompting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to push for a fine of $5000 for lawmakers who refuse to comply with the new security measures.
An average person does this and loses their job.
“As a matter of public record, he has a Maryland Handgun Permit,” Shuy said.
Republicans have a problem noticing they crossed over to a different jurisdiction apparently. Maryland is right next to DC and the Capitol building, but different local laws and requirements. So, he might not have only broken the Capitol building rules but DC laws too.
But totally makes sense in the context of Republicans understanding of government generally, which apparently is very little.
Edit, from Google search:
Washington, D.C. is a shall-issue district with concealed weapons permits issued by D.C. Metropolitan Police. All firearms must be registered, and this process acts as a permit to purchase. Individuals cannot possess ammunition without a valid registration of a firearm. Open carry is illegal in D.C.
Chief of staff says “his and his family’s lives have been threatened by someone who has been released awaiting trial.”
Question: Is that threatening person within the House chamber?
Exactly
My first thought
Try that shit at a TSA checkpoint and let me know how it works out for you
There was also a report yesterday that he tried to hand the gun over to a colleague that had already gone through the metal detector. The colleague (don’t remember his name) said he didn’t have a license to carry.
Quotes from WaPo
A HuffPost congressional reporter who witnessed part of the incident, Matt Fuller, reported that Harris lingered near the elevators after security turned him away. He then tried to ask another lawmaker, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) to take the gun for him.
Katko refused, Fuller reported, saying that he did not have “a license.” Harris then left the area and returned several minutes later, successfully going through the magnetometer and proceeding onto the House floor.