Colorado Representative-elect Lauren Boebert urged House leadership to keep a rule dating to 1967 that exempts lawmakers from a ban on firearms while inside the Capitol building in a letter signed by 82 other current and incoming Republican Congress members.
The letter comes after 21 Democratic lawmakers requested a change to the decades-old rules that would prevent Boebert from carrying her gun into work.
It appears that Boebert scored a victory as new rules presented by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not include a proposed ban on firearms in the Capitol.
Boebert made her point in a statement last week saying, “I refuse to give up my Second Amendment rights. I’m a 5-foot tall, 100-pound mom with four children and will be walking to work and serving in one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. I choose to defend my family and my life with all of the force the Constitution provides.”
She added, “I will not let a bunch of gun-grabbing House Democrats take away my Constitutional right to protect myself.”
21 Democrats wrote a letter to Nancy Pelosi asking her to stop me from being able to carry on Capitol Hill.
I choose to defend my family and my life with all of the force the Constitution provides.
I’m honored that 82 of my colleagues have decided to stand with me. pic.twitter.com/OBkVuAFvv7
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) January 1, 2021
According to a letter sent by Democrats, allowing guns in the Capitol creates “needless risk for Members of Congress, their staff, members of the Capitol Police, and visitors to the Capitol grounds.”
Fellow Colorado Representative Jason Crow accused Boebert of pulling a “political stunt” and “disrespecting” Capitol police.
Crow lashed out at her in a tweet saying, “The US [Capitol police] are professionals & I have rarely felt safer. I should know. I’ve carried a gun for work. If Boebert wants to talk safety, I have legislation to discuss.”
Boebert is known for being an outspoken advocate for the Second Amendment and announced that she plans to join the House Freedom Caucus as soon as she is sworn into office.
Currently, the conservative caucus is led by GOP Arizona Representative Andy Biggs and had previously been led by former North Carolina congressman Mark Meadows who is now White House Chief of Staff.
