Tell Congress: No guns for Members of Congress on Capitol Grounds
Currently, Members of Congress are exempt from the firearms prohibition in 40 U.S.C. § 5104 under the Capitol Police Board’s regulations.
*Photo of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3) posing with an assault weapon in Rep. Ken Buck’s (R-CO-4) office on Capitol Hill. https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1334609979265998848?s=20
Dear Members of the 118th Congress,
On December 15, 2020, Representatives Jackie Speier (CA-14), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) and 18 of their colleagues sent THIS LETTER to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy House to request a change in House Rules for the 117th Congress to ensure that Members of Congress cannot carry firearms while they are on Capitol grounds.
After the violent insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday, January 6, 2020 to block the certification of electoral college votes for Joe Biden, rules were changed to require all persons, including Members of Congress to undergo security screening when entering the House chamber. Sadly, some Republican Members of Congress violated the new rule and also verbally abused our brave Capitol Police Officers who protected them during the Capitol takeover. In response, House Democrats adopted new rules to mandate fines for lawmakers when it returns to session. After January 21st, bypassing security will result in $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for the second and the fines will be deducted from lawmakers' salaries.
Fines are not enough. Members of Congress should not carry firearms on the House/Senate floors, in their offices, or on Capitol grounds. The 117th Congress consists of at least two members who support the QAnon pro-Trump conspiracy theorist group and 147 members who peddled the conspiracy theory that led to the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol Building. In our opinion, these Members of Congress are not responsible firearm owners. They pose a risk to their colleagues in Congress and to the general public on Capitol grounds. After the assassination attempt by the insurrectionist mob, many Members of Congress are now living and working in fear. Some are considering purchasing bullet-proof vests and hiring private security detail.
We encourage you to immediately remove the exemption from the firearms prohibition in 40 U.S.C. § 5104 under the Capitol Police Board’s regulations to prohibit Members of Congress from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds.
Thank you for your consideration.
-Newtown Action Alliance and supporters