Staff Reports
On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee rejected an amendment proposed by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) that would have prohibited members from carrying guns into the hearing room. Huffman argued that the amendment was necessary due to the removal of a former Democrat provision that banned guns in hearing rooms and committees. He stated that it was a “major issue of safety for members of our committee” and that members and their staff are already prohibited by law from carrying guns into the hearing rooms and conference rooms of the Capitol.
Boebert pulls up this poster and says “looks my colleague forget his tin foil hat so I brought this to remind” pic.twitter.com/UPbdQCXFlb
— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotnbc) February 1, 2023
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who said she would carry a gun into the Capitol, argued against the amendment, calling it a “political stunt” and claiming that it was stripping members of their constitutional right to defend themselves. She also stated that on the day of the January 6 Capitol breach, she was “disarmed, not unarmed” since she was not allowed to possess her firearm.
When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) asked the committee members whether any of them intended to bring firearms into the hearing room going forward, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) asked them whether they had “reason to believe there’s a homicidal maniac amongst us.” Ocasio-Cortez responded by saying that she questioned the competence of some members.
The debate over gun control in Congress has been ongoing for years, and this amendment is just one example of the divide between Democrats and Republicans on this issue. While Democrats argue that guns should be banned in order to ensure safety, Republicans argue that it is their constitutional right to defend themselves with firearms. This amendment was ultimately shot down by the House Natural Resources Committee, but the debate is sure to continue as both sides stand firm in their beliefs.
The safety of members of Congress is of utmost importance, and this amendment was proposed in an effort to ensure that safety. While the amendment was not passed, it is clear that both parties are passionate about their beliefs and will continue to fight for what they believe is right. It is up to Congress to find a way to come together and reach a compromise on this issue in order to ensure the safety of all members of Congress.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Conservative Institute
