Boebert—who is a gun rights advocate and insists on carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds—made headlines last week for posting a controversial campaign advertisement.
In the three-minute video, she appeared to wander around the nation's capital purportedly toting a Glock semi-automatic pistol and explaining the need to arm herself on her way to Congress.
It’s very simple why @laurenboebert should not be allowed to carry a weapon in the Capitol. We can’t be sure she wo… https://t.co/ubKMe2Zpm1— Fred Wellman (@Fred Wellman) 1610547554.0
The Republican lawmaker refused to allow Capitol Police to search her belongings after setting off the alarm but was eventually let into the House chamber.
CNN's Washington correspondent Ryan Nobles kept track of Boebert's standoff situation on Twitter.
RIGHT NOW-> Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, who has bragged about her desire to carry a weapon on Capital Hill is cur… https://t.co/2EU4B366cX— Ryan Nobles (@Ryan Nobles) 1610498527.0
Boebert walked through with her bag which set off the mags. She refused to offer the bag over to be searched and is… https://t.co/OdwevR8qE8— Ryan Nobles (@Ryan Nobles) 1610498557.0
Capitol Police won’t let her in until Boebert shows them what is in her bag, she won’t and is now standing by the e… https://t.co/AoExHw1BfR— Ryan Nobles (@Ryan Nobles) 1610498722.0
Boebert has now been let into the chamber it was unclear from my vantage point if the Capitol Police searched her bag before she went in.— Ryan Nobles (@Ryan Nobles) 1610498986.0
Capitol Hill Reporter Marc Rod also provided updates on Boebert's security clash.
Lauren Boebert is refusing to comply with the metal detector or allow a bag search. Now standing in the House doorw… https://t.co/PnRMFZGaXL— Marc Rod (@Marc Rod) 1610498262.0
Boebert justified her refusal to cooperate with police on Twitter.
"I am legally permitted to carry my firearm in Washington, D.C. and within the Capitol complex. Metal detectors outside of the House would not have stopped the violence we saw last week—it's just another political stunt by Speaker Pelosi."
I am legally permitted to carry my firearm in Washington, D.C. and within the Capitol complex. Metal detectors ou… https://t.co/C97UqrJCBo— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@Rep. Lauren Boebert) 1610502453.0
It is illegal to open carry in the District of Columbia.
However, members of Congress are allowed to carry firearms to and from their office on U.S. Capitol grounds. They must store them in their congressional offices and at all times the weapon is to be unloaded.
Twitter shared their thoughts on the incident and slammed the gun-toting Republican from a small town in Colorado called Rifle.
@marcrod97 Colorado needs to come get their trash! Can she be recalled?— Mad Catter 😾 (@Mad Catter 😾) 1610500781.0
@RepBoebert Oh look guys value village Sarah Palin has thoughts— ⚖️Imani Gandy ⚖️ (@⚖️Imani Gandy ⚖️) 1610504849.0
@wickedboston @RepBoebert How did this hot mess get elected to congress? Standards anyone???— christinadefranco (@christinadefranco) 1610505073.0
Why did they all suddenly coordinate to complain about having to go through metal detectors? Why does Boebert want… https://t.co/0ib2INUOzW— Brett Meiselas (@Brett Meiselas) 1610542273.0
Boebert's history of repeated arrests did not go unnoticed.
@RepBoebert Or maybe you just don't like to follow rules! https://t.co/x5JRfFwwJm— Ilene to the LEFT 🇺🇸 (@Ilene to the LEFT 🇺🇸) 1610505226.0
@ilenes57/Twitter
@in_wondermint @ryanobles Take a moment to Google her and you will know all you need to know. How the hell she made… https://t.co/VNiOKJOSFY— Frank Hatcher (@Frank Hatcher) 1610509260.0
On January 10, acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett issued a memo informing congressional members and their staff about the new safety protocol.
"Effective immediately, all persons, including Members, are required [to] undergo security screening when entering the House Chamber," said Blodgett.
He added:
"Members are reminded that pursuant to the firearms regulations that Members received on opening day, firearms are restricted to a Member's Office."
@RepBoebert No one shall carry any firearm inside the chamber or on the floor of either House, in any lobby or cloa… https://t.co/kxn42p2OKG— Christopher Wheatley (@Christopher Wheatley) 1610502830.0
Boebert was recently under fire and faced calls for resignation after being accused of endangering the life of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for tweeting her whereabouts during the Capitol breach.
@RepBoebert You're an unstable, seditionist who tweeted out the movements & location of the Speaker of the House to… https://t.co/irZ1wdGt5G— Cheri Jacobus (@Cheri Jacobus) 1610506434.0
A minute after indicating House members were locked in the House chamber, the freshman Republican tweeted the House Speaker "has been removed from the chambers."
She also tweeted earlier in the day, "Today is 1776," which her critics interpreted as signaling for insurgence.