Hoyer pushes to limit firearms in Capitol after gun arrest

[brooklynite]

Source: Axios

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday asked the Capitol's top security officials for a briefing clarifying rules around lawmakers carrying firearms in the Capitol complex.

Why it matters: The request comes at the close of a tense and violent year for Congress, which was most recently rocked by last week's arrest of an aide who allegedly carried an unlicensed handgun into a House office building.

The Capitol Police said Friday it took 12 minutes to track down and arrest the staffer after officers spotted an image of the gun on an X-ray screen.

What they're saying: Hoyer sent a letter to the four members of the Capitol Police board requesting they clarify for lawmakers the rules about them carrying firearms in their offices, as well as committee rooms and other parts of the Capitol.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/hoyer-pushes-to-limit-firearms-in-capitol-after-gun-arrest-02ad4832-65a1-44ba-a13a-c0aad7c76b23.html

[seta1950]

1. I think

None of the lawmakers or staffers , need guns in the capitol, because those who want to carry guns are the troublemakers.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. And yet they are just fine with guns being carried everywhere else.

Hypocrites. I say, allow the guns in the Capitol, and maybe after a mass shooting or so they will realize that guns everywhere are not a good idea. The only unknown is how many such mass shootings would it take? I'd guess at least seventeen, given that no matter how terrible a school shooting is, most of them simply double down on guns for everyone.

[roody]

3. Good point.

...

[quakerboy]

5. Quick way to lose congress

I get the frustration. But I think we all know who would get shot. And after finding ways to win a few special elections, the new republican majorities would see letting Democrats get shot in the halls of congress as a valid way of retaining a congressional majority.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. It's the hypocrisy.

They are just fine with guns everywhere else, but don't want them where they are. I say, If you believe in guns everywhere, then allow guns everywhere, especially where you work.

[IronLionZion]

4. How can they protect themselves in case of MAGA insurrection?

[madville]

6. Interesting that members of Congress are exempt

From the Capitol gun ban law that was passed in the 60’s. They can only have them in their offices, not in the floor or most other common areas. I bet more Democratic lawmakers than we think have a gun in their office, especially now.

[bottomofthehill]

7. Need help from someone smarter than I am

The answer lies here:
APPENDIX J
POLICE BOARD REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO
FIREARMS EXPLOSIVES INCENDIARY DEVICES
AND OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPONS (1967).

Unfortunately, this page, in a very large document, is a PDF. In my twentyish years here, I have never posted a picture. If someone can share.... we will all know the answer.

Simple answer, the regulation says the Members can possess a firearm on Capitol Grounds. it further states that they can not have one on the Floor of the House.

[Lasher]

8. That's right.

Specifically, a Member can have a firearm in the Capitol, where it must be kept in their office. They can have it nowhere else on Capitol Grounds.