GOP convention in Utah will allow guns, despite liberal media's reports to the contrary



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be speaking at the Utah Republican Party State Convention in Orem, Utah, on April 22. Various mainstream media outlets initially reported that the Utah GOP had banned guns at the event; however, this is not the case.

Americans with concealed carry permits will be allowed to pack heat, although those in attendance will be required to pass through metal detectors.

The Salt Lake Tribune and The Hill reported Tuesday morning that on account of security concerns, guns had been forbidden, particularly during DeSantis' speech.

It appears that the initial reports claiming there had been a prohibition on guns were packaged to intimate a hypocrisy on the part of the Republican governor and his Utahan peers.

Salt Lake Tribune reporter Bryan Schott originally set his original claim (i.e., that guns were forbidden at the convention) in contrast with with the Utah GOP's stated support of the "constitutionally-protected right of the people to keep and bear arms" for self-defense.

He also noted (and continues to note in his updated piece) that guns were prohibited at previous conservative events featuring DeSantis.

Regardless of whether Schott — who has been highly critical of DeSantis in the past — intended to intimate Republicans were hypocritical, that appears to have been the takeaway from many of those who ultimately commented on his article on Twitter.

AlterNet amplified the Tribune's claim, stating, "DeSantis' allies, like many other MAGA Republicans, have been quick to accuse Democrats of being anti-2nd Amendment. But according to Salt Lake Tribune reporter Bryan Schott, guns are being banned from the April 22 event 'as part of enhanced security for DeSantis' appearance.'"

Schott later provided an update on Twitter, claiming that the Utah GOP had softened its stance on guns at the state convention.

Utah GOP Chairman Carson Jorgensen had reportedly corrected the record, informing the Tribune that magnetometers will be in use at the Utah Valley University's UCCU Center for the convention, but those legally able to carry their firearms into the venue can still do so. Additionally, delegates will not have to bother with such security measures.

To acquire a concealed permit in Utah, applicants must be 21 years old and undergo a criminal background check.

When clarifying the decision on Tuesday, Jorgensen told the Tribune, "We felt the best practice is to err on the side of caution."

Jorgensen had previously told the paper, "In the current political climate, we felt the need to be thorough in our security for this event."

Hours after the The Hill similarly revised its initial report, AlterNet still had an article up entitled, "Utah GOP bans guns from state convention where Ron DeSantis will give keynote speech."

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GOP reps sue to block Pelosi's 'unconstitutional and unjust' screening fines, arguing they target Republicans, exempt Democrats



Two Republican lawmakers have filed a lawsuit to block fines imposed against them for bypassing metal detectors placed outside House chambers earlier this year in response to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The lawmakers, GOP Reps. Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Andrew Clyde (Ga.), attempted to appeal their fines earlier this year but were unsuccessful, even as Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) and another Republican colleague saw their fines dropped.

Gohmert and Clyde argue that the steep fines — proposed by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and passed by the Democrat-controlled chamber in January — are nothing more than a tool used to target Republicans. Gohmert has been fined $5,000 for his one offense, while Clyde faces $15,000 in fines for two offenses.

The lawsuit, filed in the D.C. district court late Sunday, asserts that the fines violate the 27th Amendment, which prohibits docking a lawmaker's pay during Congress, and Article I, which prohibits the arrest of a lawmaker while traveling to official business.

The lawmakers also argue that the penalties are simply "a means of harassing democratically-elected representatives who are members of the opposition party in the House of Representatives."

They claim that several Democratic House members — including Pelosi and Reps. Maxine Waters (Calif.), Jamie Raskin (Md.), and Nydia Valezquez (N.Y.) — have also set off the metal detectors, but were waved through by security and never fined.

"Upon information and belief, Speaker Pelosi has instituted an unconstitutional policy of enforcing the Screening Rule against only members of the Republican minority in the House of Representatives, and exempting members of the Democratic majority from its enforcement, resulting in only Republican members being fined and having their congressional salaries reduced, all for the purpose of creating a false narrative for the political benefit of the House Democratic majority," the lawsuit states.

Both Gohmert and Clyde report that they have been prevented from casting votes due to enforcement of the burdensome screening rule.

"It actually sets up a system where they can literally keep Republicans from voting. Now they could keep Democrats from voting, but they never do that," Gohmert said in a conversation with the Washington Times, adding that "the courts have got to step in."

"We report to our districts. We do not report to the speaker of the House," Clyde added.

The first-term Georgia congressman charged Pelosi with "playing political games" in a statement regarding the lawsuit. He also linked to alleged video evidence showing the speaker herself violating the screening rules.

The Hill reported that six House members to date have been issued fines for bypassing security screenings. All but one of have been Republicans.

The outlet added that under the new House rules, lawmakers have 30 days to appeal the fine to the House Ethics Committee, where a majority of the evenly split committee must agree to dismiss a fine. Ties result in the fine being upheld, as was the case for Gohmert and Clyde.

Two GOP House members fined $5,000 for bypassing new metal detectors; Republicans say Pelosi did too



Two Republican members of Congress have been hit with $5,000 fines for circumventing the metal detectors leading into the House chambers under new rules passed this week in the Democrat-controlled body.

But GOP members say Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was seen skirting security, too, and deserves the same fine.

What are the details?

CNN reported Friday that "GOP Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Louie Gohmert of Texas have both been fined $5,000 for how they went through the metal detectors" according to a senior Democratic aid, noting that "These fines are part of a new rule established this week."

Gohmert confirmed to news to Axios, telling the outlet, ""We'll be appealing because this is ridiculous. This isn't 'The Godfather' where you plant a gun in the toilet tank. There is no toilet tank in the bathroom."

Shortly after the news broke, the Republican office of the Committee on House Administration sent a letter to the House sergeant at arms, to inform him that on Thursday, "at approximately 9:59 am, multiple members observed the Speaker of the House entering the House Chamber without completing security screening."

The GOP committee's Twitter account sent out a message saying, "Speaker Pelosi broke her own rules this week by entering the House Chamber without going through security. We are demanding she face the same fines as every other member of Congress."

Speaker Pelosi broke her own rules this week by entering the House Chamber without going through security. We are d… https://t.co/uujupPKkqW
— House Admin. Committee GOP (@House Admin. Committee GOP)1612565180.0

What's the background?

In the days following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol when Congress was set to count the Electoral College votes for the presidential election, new security checkpoints including metal detectors were installed outside the doors entering the House chamber.

Some Republican members expressed fury over the additional measures, and a number of them refused to comply, including Gohmert.

Fellow GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert tweeted at the time, ""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."

Pelosi reacted to the resistance by proposing a $5,000 fine on members the first time they dodge the metal detectors, and a $10,000 fine for the second offense — with the penalty being deducted directly from members' paychecks. The measure passed earlier this week.

Forbes noted that Pelosi declared at a press conference last month that "the enemy is within the House of Representatives," citing members who "want to bring guns on the floor" and "have threatened violence on other members."

Nancy Pelosi proposes steep fines for House members who evade new metal detectors



House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Wednesday that the House will be considering a new rule that would impose hefty fines on lawmakers who refuse to comply with the added security measures put in place yesterday, after several Republican members dodged new metal detectors placed outside the chamber.

What are the details?

A number of GOP members were reportedly "furious" on Tuesday when they approached the House chamber and discovered they would need to pass through metal detectors manned by U.S. Capitol police officers in order to gain entry.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), made headlines earlier this month about bringing her own firearm into work, was the first to make waves with her refusal to comply with officers searching her bag before entry.

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) reacted to the new security checkpoints by tweeting, "For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures, on top of the security we already go through. These new provisions include searches and being wanded like criminals. We now live in [Nancy] Pelosi's communist America!"

The Hill reported that "ultimately, roughly 10 lawmakers were seen bypassing the detectors and walking into the chamber, raising questions as to the devices' efficacy, particularly given officers' hesitancy to restrain House members."

Following Wednesday's session where the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, Pelosi revealed her plan to remedy GOP resistance to the metal detectors: a new rule to be considered by the Democrat-controlled chamber that would make noncompliance a costly protest.

The speaker said in a statement, "On behalf of the House, I express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police for the valor that they showed during the deadly insurrection on the Capitol, as they protected the lives of the staff and the Congress."

"Sadly, just days later, many House Republicans have disrespected our heroes by verbally abusing them and refusing to adhere to basic precautions keeping members of our Congressional community, including the Capitol Police, safe," she continued. "The House will soon move forward with a rule change imposing fines on those who refuse to abide by these protections. The fine for the first offense will be $5,000 and $10,000 for the second offense. The fines will be deducted directly from Members' salaries by the Chief Administrative Officer."

She concluded, "It is tragic that this step is necessary, but the Chamber of the People's House must and will be safe."

GOP House members 'furious' over now having to pass through metal detectors before entering chamber



Several House Republicans are reportedly "furious" that they now have to pass through metal detectors before entering the lower chamber. The extra security measure was added in response to last week's deadly attack on the Capitol building by a pro-Trump mob.

What are the details?

NBC News correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell tweeted Tuesday afternoon, "I never thought I'd see this. Metal detectors have been set up for members before they enter the House floor. A clear indication that Democratic leadership does not trust some right-wing House members."

The reporter's message included a picture of the new setup.

I never thought I’d see this.Metal detectors have been set up for members before they enter the House floor. A… https://t.co/Kr1XNk269c
— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@Leigh Ann Caldwell)1610486796.0

The first Republican to resist was freshman Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), who earlier this month made headlines about bringing her own firearm into work.

As TheBlaze previously reported, members of Congress may legally bring their guns into the Capitol building, but politicians are prohibited from carrying weapons into the House chamber.

According to CNN, Boebert ended up in a "standoff with Capitol Police at the newly installed Metal Detectors outside the chamber doors," after she "refused to offer the bag over to be searched."

Reporter Ryan Nobles reported that Boebert was "respectful but defiant," and was eventually allowed to enter although it is unclear whether she agreed to comply with the search.

CNN's Manu Raju tweeted later, "House GOP furious at new mags outside the chamber. Reps. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) and Steve Womack (Ark.) erupted at Capitol Police as they were forced to go through the mags. Womack shouted 'I was physically restrained!' And Mullin said 'it's my constitutional right' and 'they cannot stop me.'"

MSNBC reported that "Republican Reps. [Louie] Gohmert, [Steve] Stivers, [Van] Taylor, Boebert, [Debbie] Lesko, and [Larry] Bucshon were among those seen not complying with police at added security checkpoints in the U.S. Capitol."

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) tweeted later, "For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures, on top of the security we already go through. These new provisions include searches and being wanded like criminals. We now live in [Nancy] Pelosi's communist America!"

For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures,… https://t.co/3RIUN0Yflf
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@Congresswoman Debbie Lesko)1610498321.0

Boebert added, "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