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UpInArms

(51,283 posts)
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 10:05 AM Mar 2021

Yes, Capitol Rioters Were Armed. Here Are The Weapons Prosecutors Say They Used

In the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a popular narrative has emerged: that because rioters did not fire guns that day, they were not really "armed."

But a review of the federal charges against the alleged rioters shows that they did come armed, and with a variety of weapons: stun guns, pepper spray, baseball bats and flagpoles wielded as clubs. An additional suspect also allegedly planted pipe bombs by the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties the night before the riot and remains at large.

Those weapons brought violence and chaos to the Capitol. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick died one day after two rioters allegedly sprayed him and other officers with what prosecutors describe as an "unknown chemical substance." Four other people in the crowd died in the insurrection, and more than 100 police officers suffered injuries, including cracked ribs, gouged eyes and shattered spinal disks.

Some supporters of former President Donald Trump have argued that the dangerousness of the Capitol rioters has been overblown. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has said, for example, "This didn't seem like an armed insurrection to me."

Much more at:

https://www.npr.org/2021/03/19/977879589/yes-capitol-rioters-were-armed-here-are-the-weapons-prosecutors-say-they-used

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Yes, Capitol Rioters Were Armed. Here Are The Weapons Prosecutors Say They Used (Original Post) UpInArms Mar 2021 OP
At least one had a gun tucked into the back of his pants soothsayer Mar 2021 #1
NPR is subtly downplaying it here - some of them had actual guns Blues Heron Mar 2021 #2
Also used an unidentified gas and bear spray Sanity Claws Mar 2021 #3
Gunners always say other items can be weapons, so not the gun's fault sanatanadharma Mar 2021 #4
Right, they are relentlessly inconsistent Cosmocat Mar 2021 #6
Some of those flagpoles were used as spears FakeNoose Mar 2021 #5
And the crutch. Kid Berwyn Mar 2021 #11
Locked and Loaded Marcuse Mar 2021 #7
They came with weapons they knew they could get by any security. redstatebluegirl Mar 2021 #8
And spears dressed up like a flagpole UpInArms Mar 2021 #9
Asswipe Johnson is using the "waterboarding is not torture" argument. Ferrets are Cool Mar 2021 #10

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
1. At least one had a gun tucked into the back of his pants
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 10:15 AM
Mar 2021

Malcolm Nance ID’d the model. Something with a tan or beige handle and clip.

sanatanadharma

(3,705 posts)
4. Gunners always say other items can be weapons, so not the gun's fault
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 10:27 AM
Mar 2021

Or, to put it another way, they say sticks and stones can be lethal.

The insurrectionists were armed to kill.

FakeNoose

(32,639 posts)
5. Some of those flagpoles were used as spears
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 10:32 AM
Mar 2021

... as well as clubs. I've taken part in many civil protests were handheld signs could only be used and displayed if no sticks or handles were attached. (i.e., cardboard signs must be held in the hands.) Handheld flags should not be allowed if attached to poles or sticks of any kind. It's well-known by law enforcement how those sticks and poles can suddenly become deadly weapons. And yet many of the insurrectionists on January 6th were carrying large flags attached to metal flagpoles (makeshift weapons) as well as many protest signs attached to long sticks.

Kid Berwyn

(14,904 posts)
11. And the crutch.
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 11:35 AM
Mar 2021

The guy was taped walking around at Dumpy’s pep talk with the help of an aluminum crutch.

Later, I believe, the same turd seemed miraculously mobile as he used it to beat a fallen officer on the Capitol steps.

redstatebluegirl

(12,265 posts)
8. They came with weapons they knew they could get by any security.
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 10:43 AM
Mar 2021

They knew DC was not a place they could open carry like back home. That is why I say this was premeditated, they came prepared for battle.

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