Charlotte, NC — Washington DC’s police chief, Robert J. Contee III, said yesterday he intends to reach out to Colorado GOP Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-3) about her intention to carry her Glock in the city. Washington, DC has strict limits on carrying concealed firearms.
Rep. Boebert made national headlines in September 2019 when she ripped into failed Democratic Senate and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke over his plan to take certain types of guns away from people if elected president, tweeted at the beginning of the year that she had earned the support of over 80 of her colleagues who wrote a letter to House Speaker Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy defending her right to carry on Capitol Hill:
Here is the full press release: https://t.co/44TFpeenV4
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 1, 2021
When asked during a press conference about the newly elected Colorado lawmaker”s plan to carry a gun to the Capitol, said he wants to ensure that “she is aware of what the laws of the District of Columbia are.”
“That Congresswoman will be subjected to the same penalties as anyone else that’s caught on the D.C. streets carrying a firearm,” Contee said.
Congresswoman Boebert made it clear in November after winning her race that she planned on carrying her gun while in D.C. Regulations dating back to 1967 prohibit federal or D.C. laws from stopping a member of Congress from having a handgun in their office, but the gun must be unloaded and securely wrapped.
In the District of Columbia, a license is required to carry a firearm, and open carry is prohibited. A person who holds valid registration may carry a firearm in their home, in a recreational setting, at their own place of business, and while it is being transported for “a lawful purpose.”
The current guidelines for weapons in the Capitol are set by the Capitol Police Board, which includes the sergeants-at-arms of the House and Senate, the architect of the Capitol, and the chief of the Capitol Police. Lawmakers have been exempted by the board from the restrictions for decades.
Congresswoman Boebert drew attention to her plans for carrying a weapon yesterday when she posted a video on social media declaring her intention to carry her gun in Congress.
“Government does NOT get to tell me or my constituents how we are allowed to keep our families safe,” she said.
Boebert, who ran a gun-themed restaurant where all of her employees open carry called Shooters before her bid for Congress, has made Second Amendment rights a centerpiece of her platform.
A spokesperson for Boebert on Monday said she “will comply with all applicable firearm laws and regulations.” If this escalates and legal action is eventually taken, this could potentially be a second landmark SCOTUS case. The first since the 5-4 decision in Heller v. DC (2008).
“Even though I now work in one of the most liberal cities in America, I refuse to give up my rights, especially my Second Amendment rights,” said Boebert.
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