Biggs just set off the mags outside the house chamber. Refused to be wanded and just blew past..

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️‍🌈
@aravosis
And that’s $5,000. Though I’m sure he plans to fundraise from this with the gun nuts, for a lot more than $5k.

Garrett Haake
@GarrettHaake
GOP @RepAndyBiggsAZ just set off the mags outside the house chamber. Refused to be wanded and just blew past the Capitol Police officer into the chamber.
1:35 PM · Jan 21, 2021

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Can't the police arrest him?

This kind of bullshit needs zero tolerance.

They arrest and handcuff 6 year old kids for less than this.

[StarfishSaver]

6. They can't be arrested on their way to vote, per the Constitution

Last edited Thu Jan 21, 2021, 07:17 PM - Edit history (2)

If this keeps happening and the fines don't work, I think there are ways leadership can deal with this while staying within Constitutional bounds.

[cynical_idealist]

37. make an entrance where it's not possible to bypass the metal detector

only 1 person sized walkthrough detector

[BGBD]

39. Could put an officer on the door and tell him not to move

until they clear the mags cleanly. If they don't, they'll have to shove past him to get in.

Then arrest them for assaulting an officer later when they attempt to leave the building to go home.

[StarfishSaver]

42. I like the way you think ...

[FakeNoose]

89. They can set up a TSA-style tunnel that they have to walk through

... with no way around it on either side.

That technology is already in use, they can set it up rather quickly I would think.

[StarfishSaver]

100. Possibly - but this takes time, money and planning

It can't be done quickly.

But you can bet that if the members who are actually most at risk felt strongly about doing something like this, they're pressing leadership to do it. If they're not, they aren't as worked up about it as outside observers are.

[MichaelSoE]

123. and when they do arrest them, kneel on their neck for a few minutes

[Claire Oh Nette]

82. on their way to vote

it's not 1821. They aren't traveling over rutted roads or on horseback.

On their way to a vote doesn't mean waiting inside the Capitol.
No one is arresting them for traveling from their home districts to DC. The constitution and laws need to be updated for just this sort of bullshit.

The Congresstraitor from Arizona is not above the law.

He is a threat to the other representatives. Fine him. charge him., arrest him.

[StarfishSaver]

91. It means on their way to vote

Arresting someone outside the chamber is the very essence of what the Constitution prohibits, regardless how you choose to interpret it

Arguably, the language excepting arrests for "treason, felony or breach of the peace" could take an arrest for refusing to go through a mag constitutionally permissible, but there would likely have to be legislation passed to make such an act a crime.

[coti]

108. Right. And they couldn't stop him if he was walking in with dynamite strapped to his chest? nt

[StarfishSaver]

111. Yes they could

That likely is a felony and breach of peace, which is excepted.

As of now, a Member carrying a gun in the House chamber is not a felony, nor, as far as I know, is refusing to go through through a metal detector to enter the House chamber.

[Kota]

124. Maybe they need to make it a felony.

[StarfishSaver]

125. They could. But that would take a while.

[SlogginThroughIt]

93. They can arrest him on the way out no?

[StarfishSaver]

96. There's prohibition applies to "going to and returning from" voting

[fescuerescue]

106. I imagine the SC is going to weigh in on this soon

The SC usually isn't to kind on constitutional workarounds that achieve the same results banned by the constitution.

For instance, if you renamed "poll tax" to "informed voter fee", that doesn't pass muster etc.

[StarfishSaver]

112. They won't need to

If it chooses, Congress can pass laws that easily get around that provision.

This issue, frankly isn't a big deal for me. The people most affected by it and most at risk - Senators and Members of Congress - are going to make sure their lives are protected and they'll do so without us getting ourselves all worked up over it.

[azureblue]

109. but they can detain and search

Just have 4 cops box him in, and one with the wand. When it goes off then search him to see if he has a gun. And if he has a gun, take it away. Whole event would take about a minute or two. No guns allowed, you know. And still fine him.

[StarfishSaver]

113. No, they can't

That's an arrest.

[Cetacea]

69. +1000

This bs has to stop.

[elleng]

2. DAMN!

[StarfishSaver]

3. Nancy already thought of that

The fines must be paid for from the Members' personal funds - and are deducted from their paychecks - and cannot be paid for with campaign funds.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. We need a bill stating the fines shall be used to procure muzzles for repeat offenders.

[qazplm135]

12. so what?

if he fundraises 10K off it, then 5K is nothing.

I'm not blaming Nancy, just suggesting that fines won't work.

And I have no doubt these folks are getting money under the table or other benefits to "compensate."

[StarfishSaver]

14. How to you propose the Speaker handle this?

Please be specific.

And before posting, please confirm that your proposed plan is both Constitutionally-permissible and practicable in the real world. And that it would actually work to keep Members from carrying handguns onto the floor.

[qazplm135]

23. which part of

"I'm not blaming Nancy, just suggesting that fines won't work."

is confusing you?

[StarfishSaver]

29. I'm not confused at all. So, I'll ask you again

If you think fines won't work, what do you think WILL work?

Or do you think there is no viable alternative to fines?

[StarfishSaver]

35. Just as I thought

Thank you.

[qazplm135]

36. lol

just as I thought as well.

[TheRickles]

43. If you have some suggestions, this would be a good forum to share them and brainstorm. Thanks!

[qazplm135]

48. first of all no it wouldn't

this is an internet message board. Pelosi isn't going to be perusing our board for ideas nor should she.

Second of all, I'm assuming Pelosi is aware of her options better than anyone on here is. Just because I don't think her chosen options will work does not equate to me thinking there is a better option, or that I or anyone on here has a better option.

Sometimes, people just get away with shit because they don't care about the consequences. The solution is to vote them out. Get to their district and try to get rid of them.

[LanternWaste]

78. That's "a" solution. Not "the" solution.

The latter directly implies one and only solution... which would be self-limiting thinking at best. The former implies more than one solution, even (gasp!) solutions we ourselves may not be able to think of.

[TheRickles]

115. There are some pretty sharp posters here on DU

and I wouldn't be shocked if someone like you or StarfishSaver came up with a new angle on things. Of course Pelosi herself won't be reading these posts, but "I know a guy who knows a guy" and so do we all. Maybe an idea could be passed on to a House staffer, and work it's way up the ladder. Couldn't hurt.

[StarfishSaver]

117. I'm pretty sure that any idea I or anyone else here could come up with in this

was thought of in the first ten minutes of the first meeting the people responsible for dealing with this held to discuss the matter.

[orangecrush]

52. "Protect Pelosi mode"

YOU'RE FUCKING RIGHT WE ARE.

A MOB OF SEDITIOUS LUNATICS TRIED TO KILL HER 2 WEEKS AGO.

[SergeStorms]

57. [phone]

nt

[qazplm135]

60. well why don't you save it for those folks

and not the folks who literally say "I don't blame Pelosi?"

Just a thought.

[Cha]

71. Mahalo, ornagecrush!

[orangecrush]

120. Hi Cha!

[Cha]

121. Aloha!

[TwilightZone]

64. Someone's being snarky and aggressive.

And it's not StarfishSaver.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

28. Maybe raise the fines to $25,000 per violation?

Not sure if that is Constitutionally permissible, but it would be practicable in the real world.

Traitor Biggs could end up working for no pay, and might have to live on the charity of others.

[StarfishSaver]

30. The fines for each offense escalate

But if the argument is that fines don't work because the Member will just raise campaign funds to cover them and take them under the table, as suggested, pumping up the fines wouldn't help.

[LiberalLovinLug]

70. Keep doubling it.

I don't think that these members actually want to have to fund raise to pay fines. They'd rather use those funds for other things. Especially if it gets up to 10,000...20,000....40,000....80.000........

But I was going to suggest that if Pelosi is the Speaker of the House, does she not have any say over who speaks when, and for how long? Isn't their some procedural action she could take to give them less influence in the House or punish them in some way like that?

[LiberalFighter]

40. Anything fundraised goes into their campaign fund.

They are limited on what the money can be used for. It must be campaign related.

[qazplm135]

41. campaign related covers a lot of things

and that's the money they legally get.

[LiberalFighter]

67. But still cannot be used for personal reasons.

[Jakes Progress]

58. Why should I care if he fleeces the idiots who support him?

[qazplm135]

61. I dunno...

didn't say you should.

[Jakes Progress]

122. I didn't think you did. My reply

was just my feelings about the enablers of these charlatans. Those that support and endorse clowns like this are as bad and warrant fleecing. The money they take from their electorate will pale next to the pacs and the nra.

[C_U_L8R]

4. The punk wants a confrontation/

Just keep fining him, docking his paycheck

[peggysue2]

7. These members need to be expelled

Period. They have no business in the House or any other governmental position.

[MontanaMama]

8. Rep Biggs is playing with fire.

He really needs to be GONE.

[Captain Zero]

53. If they set off the alarm, they need a capitol policeman seated next to them in the chamber

why couldn't that be done. Babysitting the gentleman from Arizona today is.....

[MyMission]

68. Excellent idea

A baby sitter, aka watcher. Deputy Sargent at arm's Goodman should have that honor first.
They'll need several, but they have a staff of 800-900.

And Cawthorne, my rep who's in a wheelchair carries a gun. I've been concerned about him sneaking in a weapon.

[Alex4Martinez]

9. Poor Snowflake!!!11! Shall we set up a GoFundMe? Sell cookies?

[lillypaddle]

10. I guess this is gun speak

WTF are mags? Are these "magazines" and if so, I thought they held amunition. Setting them off means what exactly? Thanks for your help.

[Nevilledog]

11. Metal detectors

[lillypaddle]

13. Thanks. Are you going to start

charging me for always answering my questions?

[Nevilledog]

21. Always free of charge

[lillypaddle]

25. whew. nt

[StarfishSaver]

15. It's short for magnetometer

[lillypaddle]

22. Wow, I would never have guessed that

Thanks.

[snort]

59. Just about every time you pull a car up to a stoplight you're using one.

I've had motorcycles that wouldn't trigger them, grrr.

[RussBLib]

16. so he could be planting a weapon in his office, or somewhere

to be retrieved at a later date, a later date where he does not set off the magnetometer.

Does he not understand how unsafe House members feel?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. You're quite right. The problem is that he doesn't care how unsafe anyone feels! n/t

[malaise]

17. Even if he goes around why aren't the police

refusing to let him enter the chamber - are they waiting for one of these morons to kills Democrats?

[StarfishSaver]

31. It's a difficult situation

Members can't be arrested on their way to a vote.

There are ways to get around that, but that will take awhile to get it into place.

[malaise]

34. Thanks

[Collimator]

44. What if they arrest him and formally escort him into the vote?

After patting him down first, of course?

That may seem silly, but the idea is that law enforcement will make itself known, the congressperson's voice is not silenced (even though they will shout "Censorship" at the top of their lungs) and after the vote is taken and acknowledged on behalf of the legislator's constituents, then they haul him off as a private citizen.

Again, it may seem silly. It may seem like "security-theatre", but maybe making a public spectacle of such rude, entitled (and potentially dangerous) behavior is necessary.

[StarfishSaver]

49. That's interesting

I guess it would depend on a court would interpret "arrested" - whether it literally means "stopped" or "detained" or taken into custody to face charges.

Hmmm. I do like the visual of a Member being flanked by Capitol Police on the floor - sending the message that not only have they broken the law and are under arrest, but also that they are dangerous individuals who need to have police close to them to keep everyone else same from them.

[Mr.Bill]

90. I've heard of that being done with a ER Doctor who was attending to patients.

The police just shadowed him until another Doctor arrived to take over.

[PatSeg]

18. Biggs is another congressman

whose family has turned against him. He really needs to resign.

In a letter to the editor at The Arizona Republic, William Biggs and Daniel Biggs of Tucson said their brother, who argued to set aside Arizona’s election results in Congress, is “at least partially to blame” for the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago.

William Biggs, 67, said he is a Democrat who isn’t close to his Republican brother but could no longer quietly disagree with his political efforts after the riot. Daniel Biggs could not be reached for comment. Andy Biggs also was not immediately available for comment.

“It just seemed like saying nothing just felt like tacit approval of the things that he's done,” William Biggs told The Arizona Republic in an interview. “Always before on things big and small that he's done, I've just kind of kept my mouth shut and gritted my teeth. This just seemed like too big a moment to just sit on the sidelines and not say anything.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/andy-spread-election-fraud-lies-033636282.html

[Mr. Ected]

20. So he's in the house chamber packing heat? He still has his gun?

One day, this will escalate and Dems will be in the line of fire.

If only the founding fathers had drafted the 2nd amendment with a bit more meat on the bone.

[MyOwnPeace]

86. "If only the founding fathers"

I'm kinda' thinking the "founding fathers" didn't really think that we'd ultimately have Faux Spews, "the Rush", tweets, the NRA, or BunkerBoy.

Ah, for the "simple" times again.......

[Mr. Ected]

110. Got that right

If mental illness extended to society in general, ours would be in desperate need of counseling.

[KS Toronado]

24. If they can't be stopped from going in.......

Can they be required to wear a non-removable mask over their eyes? To prevent them of aiming at anybody?

[asiliveandbreathe]

26. He is NOT a self made man..if you can call him a man..

1993 Biggs won the American Family Sweepstakes $10Mil..just a jerk..You see, Biggs really is playing with fire..AZ is changing..demographics changing to purple...just let him run statewide for Senate..I dare him..as a rep., he just laps up the maga votes in Mesa right now..

[JackHughes]

88. Like Kevin McCarthy...

...Who was a California lottery winner -- then became a Republican "businessman."

[usajumpedtheshark]

27. Treat him like anyone else that fails to obey an officer's lawful commands

[Ferrets are Cool]

33. What really bothers me about this is the sheer audacity of thought.

What he is screaming with a bullhorn is "I am better than the average person. I am a GOD that cannot be held to the conventions of mere mortals".

If you or I try to go past a "mag", we will get tackled, arrested or shot.

[bringthePaine]

38. he's now a terrorist, should be treated accordingly

[CanonRay]

45. Have the Sergeant at Arms search him.

If he's got a gun, call DC metro and have him arrested. Time to get tough with these traitors.

[SCantiGOP]

54. You can not arrest a Congressman

when Congress is in session.
Similar to impeachment - if the offense is grievous enough he can be removed from his seat by vote of Congress, at which time he would lose his immunity.

[CanonRay]

56. Then arrest him when he walks out the damn door.

He's breaking DC law.

[SCantiGOP]

62. Can't do it

The reason this is in the Constitution:
Remember that our nation was actually the consolidation after the Revolutionary War of 13 independent republics.
They wanted to make sure that, as an example, if Virginia and NC disagreed on a bill, Va couldn’t arrest the NC Congressmen as they were on their way to DC to vote.

Archaic, but one of those things that would require an Amendment to change.

[boston bean]

72. Arrest him for it after the vote.

[SCantiGOP]

98. can't do it

google "can a congressman be arrested"

[Massacure]

75. They are not privileged from arrest for "Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace"

If setting off a mangetometer, ignoring a law enforcement officer's commands to halt, and bringing a gun into the chambers isn't breach of peace, I don't know what the hell is. Maybe Pelosi needs to insist on a lock down of the Capitol and full bomb sweep every time this happens to emphasize "breach of peace".

[CanonRay]

85. So, you're telling me that if he's driving drunk

back to his DC condo and kills a bus load of kids, he cannot be arrested? He doesn't have diplomatic immunity.

[SCantiGOP]

97. yes

just google "can a congressman be arrested"

[old guy]

76. So, they are above the law.

[StarfishSaver]

80. The Constitution confers that right so they aren't above the law

[spike jones]

46. Have a Capitol Police officer sit in the chamber with a gun aimed at him and

if it looks like Biggs is going for his gun, take him out.

[Hassler]

47. Biggs begged Chump for a pardon. He won't be crashing thru

For much longer. He admitted he's guilty, the evidence will be forthcoming.

[kirkuchiyo]

50. Install an MRI on the House and Senate floors.

With any luck they will be powerful enough to rip the guns off from them.

[wnylib]

94. And also rip off earrings, wedding rings, necklaces,

cufflinks, snaps from trousers, zippers. Even if installing an MRI powerful enough to rip guns from somebody's pocket or purse were possible, there would be some interesting unintended consequences.

[kirkuchiyo]

118. Well as long as they are non ferrous shouldn't be a problem

[wnylib]

119. Most metal items have alloys

mixed into them, even good jewelry. Don't know how often iron is included in them, in even just minute amounts. Nickel and platinum are the most common alloys. When I had an MRI, I had to remove ALL jewelry and even my jeans to avoid having any kind of metal on me as a precaution.

[SCantiGOP]

55. That's actually a good idea

But I would have the money donated to a gun control group.

[StarfishSaver]

65. It would have to go into the House Administration account and can only be used for House expenses

The House of Representatives can't divert funds to charities in this way.

Sorry.

[MyNameGoesHere]

63. So whenever the alarm is set

And the culprit avoids being scanned, put the capitol on lock down. Soon his "colleagues" will get tired of his shit and take matters into their own hands.

[George II]

66. The Sargent at Arms should have detained him. I guess Pelosi is going to have to issue zip ties.

[ancianita]

74. Keep it up, MF, and you'll get your ass expelled.

[flibbitygiblets]

77. Increase the penalty. $5 million should do the trick.

[flying_wahini]

79. I have great faith the the rules will show teeth when they are ignored. Nancy is in charge.

[Iggo]

81. Capitol Police doing a bang up job right there, eh?

They know they’re the police, right?

Not saying they should hurt him. But Jeez. How’s about a “Hey there, buddy. Uh-uh. No.” I know I’d’ve been face down with a knee on my back.

[Kaleva]

107. They don't have the constitutional authority to stop a member of Congress from going to a vote

[StarfishSaver]

116. This entire thread fascinates me

Lots of people here seem to think they care more and know better than the House leadership - who were just targeted for assassination - how best to protect themselves in their colleagues and are implying and/or coming right out and saying they're not doing enough about it.

It's not like leadership and Members are clueless or insensitive to the threats they face or are sitting around doing nothing about them, but if they only knew as much as or could come up with good ideas like people here ("Just ARREST them ready!!!".), the problem would be solved.

Pelosi and the other members are fully aware of the threat and their options for responding to them and are no doubt working on it, even if they're not telegraphing they're every thought and move to the public.

[JackHughes]

83. Representatives can't be denied entry to the chamber

But surely they could be subjected to a mandatory search for weapons which could be confiscated?

Those right-wing kooks are dangerous.

[StarfishSaver]

92. True

But if they refuse, it's a difficult situation to expect a Capitol Police officer to manhandle them.

[bluestarone]

99. Just a thought here

Have 3 or four Capital police there? If he resists wouldn't that give them the authority to ARREST after he votes?

[StarfishSaver]

102. Can't do that either. The prohibition applies to both coming and going

But as I said to someone else, this is a lot of spinning and worrying by people who aren't directly affected by this. Those who are directly affected - Members of Congress - will be the ones deal with it if they think it necessary.

[sinkingfeeling]

84. He's like one of a half dozen that I do not trust around Democrats while armed.

[Mopar151]

87. On a tangential thread RE: Biggs

It looked to me like he had something hooked around his (Left?) thigh, under his trousers. Could it be one of those Opus Dei pain things? (Cilice, sez Google...) Looked like it may have caused a bit of a limp....

[Nululu]

95. What an idiot

[marble falls]

101. So that's why he needed a pardon.

[appmanga]

103. He can raise what he wants...

...but this comes out of his paycheck. Pelosi made it clear fines would be taken directly from members' paychecks.

[liberalmuse]

104. This insurrectionist POS needs to be expelled.

I'm sure more is going to come out about what he knew about the planned coup, so he'll likely be charged. I'm curious if the secret pardon's included him and his treasonous cohorts in Congress?

[kaotikross]

105. I have an idea

Build a bulletproof plexiglass box accessible through a door next to the regular door. Make sure and omit any chairs so the "boxees" have to stand. If you fail the detector check you get ushered to that box which can be controlled to give access to a panel of voting buttons, that way they can still "do their duty" and be inside the chamber. Make sure it's large enough for one to stand, two to stand uncomfortably, three to stand squeezed VERY uncomfortably, etc.

Hilarity ensues when they realize they look like complete idiots and this is live tv.

[Tortue]

114. I got yer deference hangin'

So, am I to understand that congress-critter could show up to vote with a suicide vest and there's nothing anyone can do?
I really don't give a flying you-know-what if the cops aren't "so nice" to these a-holes.
Overwhelm, detain, disarm, secure any weapons and arrest them. Make 'em hire Sydney Powell or Rudy to claim there rights were infringed upon.

I kinda like the poly-carbonate box idea, but I think they should just get Parscale'd, just like the anyone else that pulled this shit.