Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes of New York criticized Republicans in Congress for complaining about House’s new metal detectors, noting that at least one Republican had previously posted an image holding a gun to Democrats.
The metal detectors were installed Tuesday after the uprising last Wednesday by supporters of President Donald Trump in the Capitol. House Democrats said they no longer felt safe among their pro-Trump Republican counterparts after the uprising.
“It’s almost as if GOP members are promoting videos of them illegally carrying firearms in the Capitol, posting images of them holding weapons to members of the Democratic Party and inciting an attack on the Capitol, there are consequences! Of course, the GOP cries and plays victim.”
It’s almost as if GOP members are promoting videos of them illegally carrying firearms on the Capitol grounds, posting images of them holding weapons next to members of the Democratic Party and inciting an attack on the Capitol, there are consequences!
Naturally, GOP cry and play victim. https://t.co/aetBLFfxfx
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (@AOC) January 13, 2021
Laws prohibit lawmakers from carrying loaded firearms anywhere in the capital except their office. No one, except law enforcement, can carry a pistol, whether loaded or unloaded, in the House Chamber.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, acting sergeant Timothy Blodgett told members of parliament that anyone entering the lower chamber would have to undergo additional screening measures and would be barred from entering if he refused screening or was found that carries a prohibited object, such as a pistol.
Republicans, however, began criticizing metal detectors almost immediately.
Republican Congressman Marcine Mullin of Oklahoma called security on Tuesday. “I was physically restrained!” he said.
Congressman Steve Womak of Arkansas said carrying a firearm was “my constitutional right” and “they can’t stop me.”
Alex Wong / Getty
In a January 3 ad, Colorado spokeswoman Lauren Bobert told viewers she would “take my Glock to Congress.” In a Facebook post in September, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia shared a picture of herself holding a gun to a photo of the four colored Democratic women congressmen who make up the House’s progressive group known as the Squad.
Facebook removed Green’s post for violating her policy against violent threats after Minnesota Squad member Ilhan Omar wrote on Twitter, “Posting a photo with an assault rifle to the faces of three colored women is not advertising. It’s incitement. There are already death threats in response to this post. “
Democrats criticized Republicans, who backed Trump’s baseless allegations of voter fraud as part of the attack on the Capitol last Wednesday. About 120 members of the House of Republican Parliament voted against confirming the victory of President-elect Joe Biden.
Fears of further political violence continue as the FBI mentions possible attacks during upcoming protests planned in all 50 US capitals and Biden’s inauguration on January 20 at the Capitol of Nations.
Newsweek contacted Green’s office for comment.
