Some Democrats fear a mass shooting on House floor -- by a QAnon-Republican

[News Junkie]

Surprise quickly morphed into alarm for some at the Capitol this week as a post-Jan. 6 security measure vanished without warning just before Republicans reclaimed control of the House. Some Democrats fear there could be a mass shooting on the House floor at the trigger of one of the GOP’s newly expanded ranks of conspiracy-believing lawmakers.

“A lot of my Republican colleagues glorify violence and proudly display the firearms they have in their offices, so it just makes me nervous that we could have a workplace violent event. They’re not the most stable people,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) told Raw Story after voting for Speaker this week.

The airport-esque contraptions—technically, magnetometers—surrounded the House chamber since the mob of Trump supporters violently attempted to take over the historic chamber on Jan. 6, 2021. In their two-year stint as beeping plastic monuments to a failed coup, they were cursed, mocked, and even sued by lawmakers.

They also stopped at least one gun from entering the House chamber. Soon after the extra security went up, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) set the metal detectors off before ditching the weapon, though likely others did too, as many Republicans initially refused to comply.

https://www.mediaite.com/politics/eric-swallwell-other-house-dems-reportedly-fear-potential-mass-shooting-by-qanon-republican-after-removal-of-metal-detectors/

[RockRaven]

1. Considering the 'pukes engaged in physical violence with each other during the speaker vote

it is a question of when, not if.

[RKP5637]

2. Some are real crazies. No doubt it could possibly happen. During the vote they edged on violence.

[Srkdqltr]

3. If anyone can carry anyone will. Several of the Dems are former military.

That's scary as . Well just scary.

[Samrob]

4. An investment in bullet proof vests might be in order. The new House is wide-open for mad men

and insurrectionists who are angry because they are facing indictments. There are no more gatekeepers as before. Some are still after Nancy.

[Maraya1969]

7. I was thinking that also. And pepper spray that shoots far.

[tritsofme]

5. Judging by the last few days, Republicans will probably be pointing them at each other.

[MagickMuffin]

6. Plus the newly D'minted Speaker said they would allow the Capitol open to visitors

This statement sent chills through my very core. Not only do House Democrats have to worry about their colleagues they also have to worry about the crazies that were part of the insurrection.

And I remember the State Capitols where citizens were allowed in with their guns.

[Cha]

18. MORE reasons For the

Capitol Police to be on High Alert ‼️

I Hope this guy Blows in their face

[joshcryer]

27. The Capitol *is* open to visitors.

It was closed due to the pandemic.

It's just lies that they love to spread that it was "closed to visitors."

Also the waitlist for tours is pretty long, it's rare to be able to get a tour if you show up in person (but not impossible if people don't show for their reservation).

[moondust]

8. Anyone not intimidated into submission

by the mere sight of a death tool may face a "penalty."

[Irish_Dem]

9. Probably only a matter of time.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. I would not be surprised. I wonder if Pence had been hung, if that would have awakened the US?

[Ford_Prefect]

20. Sadly I fear it would only have emboldened those for whom violence IS free speech.

The people who know this is dangerous already have said so.

Those who will not foreswear violence and armed action are now in charge of the People's House.

They esteem themselves as lords of chaos. They have no idea what they will enable in so doing. Chaos by its very nature cannot be ruled, only ignited. I keep seeing James Cagney in White Heat as he shoots the fuel tank he's standing on and yells, "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" as it explodes. That is the kind of madness now in charge of Congress.

Like their failed leader they howl and prance about threatening everyone with their bottled anger.

[Evolve Dammit]

24. I think you nailed it. That is what we are dealing with. May law enforcement be prepared.

[FloridaBlues]

11. There are some real crazy people in Republican house I would be scared as well.

[maxrandb]

12. Put their side in a bullet-proof glass shell

Ventilation not required.

[ancianita]

13. The Sergeant-at-Arms should probably have more Capitol police in the House chamber.

Anyone even brandishing commits assault and should be arrested and removed.

If Capitol Police can prohibit all kinds of things on the Capitol grounds by the public, they sure should prohibit congress people from carrying anything like a weapon into the People's House and Senate chambers.

https://www.uscp.gov/visiting-capitol-hill/regulations-prohibitions/prohibited-items

[Groundhawg]

14. There is still a ban on guns in the house.

[wnylib]

29. But the new Republican majority has

removed the magnetometers. So it is easy now for the MAGA gun supporters to carry them into the House undetected. And you know that they will. They tried to do it even when the magnetometers were in place.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/05/republicans-control-house-security-measures-capitol-attack

[Groundhawg]

31. Its still illegal to bring guns to the floor of congress

[wnylib]

36. It's also illegal to attack DC police,

to enter the Capitol by force and threaten members of Congress. And yet it happened.

The point is that just because an action is illegal does not mean that people won't do it. Therefore, the magnetometers were installed to prevent people from bringing guns onto the floor of the House. Now that they have been removed, there is a greater likelihood of some House members carrying guns and endangering the lives of other members and their staff.

[Blue Owl]

15. Well, MTG and Gaetz do like to blast through security checkpoints w/out stopping

Behavior like that doesn't exactly inspire confidence...

[Liberal In Texas]

16. I wonder how many of them are already packing.

It's only a question of WHEN somebody gets pissed-off enough to shoot somebody.

And they still will probably not want the metal detectors put back in place.

[MontanaMama]

17. Well since we still don't have accountability

for what members of congress who gave reconnoissance tours prior to J6, I’d say it’s not ridiculous to be concerned about this possibility. No metal detectors any more either.

[LowerManhattanite]

19. One of these nutfux is going to grandstand and...

…theatrically pull out a gun and lay it down loudly on a lectern to make their little 2nd Amendment point in a speech to “scare” fellow Reps.

These people ain’t well though.

The Gosars. The Rogers’—who’ll try to attack a fellow member. The Boeberts, etc. They’ll do this.

And I’m guessing one of these goofy freshmen who coasted in on MAGAT winds will probably do even MORE.

I’d imagine some progressive members will start wearing Kevlar vests to protect themselves.

God help us all.

[GoCubsGo]

21. The whole point is to sow fear, and to indimidate the Democrats.

Looks to me like they're achieving that goal. No doubt they want to scare the Dems into not showing up to their jobs. Bullies gotta bully. I hope the Dems stand up to this shit. If I were them, I would be showing up with one of my own, and not a handgun, either.

[marmar]

22. I wouldn't put anything past this collection of miscreants.

[kimbutgar]

23. That has been a big fear of mine when I read they got rid of the gun detectors

The Q repukes are very unstable and I don’t trust them one bit.

[elleng]

25. 'They're not the most stable people," Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) told Raw Story'

[jmowreader]

26. Jason Crow probably goes to work at a very high state of alert

In the 75th Rangers they teach you how to kill people with anything handy. He probably never dreamed he’d have to use that training in Congress…but…here we are.

[The Grand Illuminist]

28. Another reason to make political affiliation a civil right.

It is becoming that reps will live paycheck to paycheck due to the private security they have to pay out of pocket.

[Sympthsical]

34. It is

Freedom of Association.

[The Grand Illuminist]

38. Meant protected class.

My bad

[keithbvadu2]

30. Imagine MTG and Boebert in a shootout.

And they're on the same side.

[Bettie]

32. I kind of expect it to happen

before too long.

The "no impulse control" caucus is in charge.

[roamer65]

33. It's very possible...remember the assassination of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone?

1978. San Francisco.

Dan White, the murderer, was a RW nut job on the SF Board of Supervisors.

It’s possible, sadly.

[Meowmee]

35. It could happen

They were already having a fight with each other during the vote. Time for bullet proof vests and helmets maybe. Ugh

[GenThePerservering]

37. Democrats should NEVER utter the words "fear" and "nervous"

I agree with @gocubsgo. The last thing the Dems should be doing is expressing the slightest particle of fear or intimidation of these magat rat-bastards. Never, never, never show fear - they can smell it.

This does not mean not being on high alert, arming one's self, being aware, taking measures that one can, but a position of strength must be held and seen to be held. I don't like this "makes me nervous" rhetoric and all this whittering about the metal detectors being taken down. Make those jokes about the magats wanting to have their own gun show in the chamber - bring more popcorn, jeer at them. These are cowards and bullies, not people of strength.