GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert from Colorado stood by her statement in her now-viral ad. In it, she said she would still carry her handgun in Washington, D.C. regardless of the pushback from the Metropolitan Police Department chief.
The newly elected republican legislator appeared on “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday. In it, she talked about her right to carry her handgun while she is in Washington.
“It’s right there in our Constitution. It’s an amendment to our Constitution, and there’s an absolute uproar over people wanting to defend myself,” Boebert said in the show.
“I mean, come on. I’m 5-foot, 100 pounds. I am now in one of the most dangerous cities in America. The violent crime rate here is 158 percent times higher than the national average. I will be walking alone a lot,” the lawmaker added.
Boebert Defends Her Gun Rights
Boebert also brought to light that most Congress members do not have any protection as they travel between home and work, or even just while out in public.
“Just like I say in my ad, being a member of Congress is pretty basic. I don’t go to work in an armored vehicle. I don’t have personal police escorts,” the lawmaker mentioned. She added, “I am my own security here and my most basic right is the right to defend myself.”
On Sunday, the Colorado representative uploaded her ad on Twitter, and it went viral a short while after. In it, she defended her right to own and carry a gun.
“Educated, law-abiding gun owners are the safest people in America to be around. So when anyone comes in to limit the rights and safety of my family, I’ll tell them exactly what this mom thinks,” she said in her ad
“Not only is it my right, but it’s a right I was sent here to protect from Rifle, Colorado. So if you see me in D.C., say hi, you’re safe with me,” Boebert added.
Regarding her ad, Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee III said on Monday that he wants to make sure Boebert knows the laws of the District of Columbia, as per Politico.
Contee said that Boebert “will be subjected to the same penalties as anyone else that’s caught on the D.C. streets carrying a firearm.”
Firearm Prohibition Exemption?
However, according to Fox, legislators in Capitol Building are exempt from the strict firearm prohibitions put in place by the Capitol Police Board.
As per a 1967 rule, any firearm needs to be “stored in the members’ offices and transported safely and unloaded.”
In line with this, a spokesperson for Boebert told Politico that the lawmaker “will comply with all applicable firearm laws and regulations.”
Democrats have tried to change the rule so that members of Congress would also be prohibited from bringing guns to the Capitol Building. However, new guidelines revealed last week by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not include this particular change in the policy.
With regards to Contee’s comments, Boebert said in response that “there is no question” she can bring her gun to Congress.
Boebert said: “I have gone through the concealed carry courses that Washington, D.C., requires to obtain a concealed carry permit, and I think it’s very interesting that he wants to ensure that I understand Washington, D.C.’s, firearm laws.
“Maybe I should make a video announcing that I plan to drive a car in Washington, D.C., and then the chief of police will say that he’s going to inform me of Washington, D.C.’s, traffic laws. Is this what he does to everyone who comes into the District of Columbia? Inform each and every person of their laws? I don’t think so.”
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