The US Capitol Police is investigating whether the Republican Party representative Andy Harris
Andrew (Andy) Peter HarrisAn attack on America that divided Congress – and a nation Here are House Republicans who voted for Trump’s impeachment ‘I saw my life pass before my eyes’: An oral history of the Capitol attack MORE (Md.) Tried to bring a gun to the House floor on Thursday.
“USCP is investigating the matter,” officials confirmed to HuffPost and CBS Baltimore.
After the deadly pro-Trump siege on Capitol Hill earlier this month, magnetometers and other security measures were installed outside the chamber.
A reporter at HuffPost witnessed Harris activating the metal detectors while trying to enter the chamber on Thursday.
When a policeman with a metal detector wand scanned him, a firearm was detected next to Harris, hidden by his jacket, according to the agency. The reporter witnessed a police officer signaling to a security officer that Harris had a firearm with him, pointing at his own weapon.
A Capitol official later confirmed to the agency that Harris was carrying a gun.
When asked about the comment, Harris’s office said in a statement: “Since his life and that of his family were threatened by someone who was released and awaiting trial, for security reasons, the congressman never confirms whether he or anyone else whoever is carrying a firearm for self-defense. As a matter of public record, he has a Maryland handgun license. And the deputy always complies with the House metal detectors and wand. The congressman never carried a firearm on the floor of the Chamber. “
Lawmakers are allowed to carry weapons in their offices and on Capitol grounds, but are prohibited from bringing firearms to the floor of the Chamber.
After being denied entry, Harris allegedly asked Rep. John Katko
John Michael KatkoRep. John Katko: Why I became the first Republican legislator to support impeachment NY Republican says cybersecurity will be a high priority for Homeland Security panel Upton becomes the first member of Congress to vote for the impeachment of two presidents MORE (RN.Y.) to take out his gun so he could come in and vote. Katko reportedly refused to hold the gun, stating that she had no “license”.
According to HuffPost, Harris left the area and returned about 10 minutes later. He did not fire the magnetometer a second time and was allowed to enter the House floor to vote on a resignation to allow the retired Army General Lloyd Austin
Lloyd AustinThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits headwinds Senate chaos threatens to slow down Biden’s agenda Night defense: House approves resignation for Biden’s Pentagon candidate | Biden to seek extension of five-year arms control pact with Russia | Two more American soldiers killed by COVID-19 MORE to serve as President Biden’s secretary of defense.
Tensions increased last week, when several Republican Party lawmakers refused to join new security measures for the Chamber, requesting that the President Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiOvernight Health Care: Biden reveals virus plan and asks for patience | Fauci says it is ‘liberating’ to work under Biden | Chamber to act quickly in defense of COVID-19 overnight: Chamber approves resignation for Biden Pentagon candidate | Biden to seek extension of five-year arms control pact with Russia | Two more US soldiers killed by COVID-19 On The Money: Pelosi says House will move immediately in relief COVID-19 | Biden faces reaction over debt | 900,000 more Americans apply for unemployment benefits MORE (D-Calif.) To enact extraordinary rules that would charge thousands of dollars in fines against those who do not obey.
However, these fines have not yet taken effect. The Chamber will not vote to approve them until it returns to the session the week of February 2, according to a spokesman for Pelosi.
Trust between the two parties reached the lowest level ever after the attack. Some lawmakers are concerned about colleagues who may be carrying weapons – a Republican, Congressman Madison Cawthorn (NC), confirmed he was armed during the riot.
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colorado) has it was unyielding about wanting to load your gun on the Capitol grounds.
On Thursday, HuffPost reported that Boebert, as well as his Republican counterparts, Reps. Andy Biggs (Arizona) and Rick Allen
Richard (Rick) Wayne AllenGeorgian election chief refutes election claims in a letter to Congress READ: Republicans who voted to contest South Carolina Republican election results test positive for coronavirus hours after speaking in House MORE (Ga.), Refused to be lowered after firing the magnetometer.