Boebert granted concealed carry permit in DC

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) was granted a concealed carry permit in D.C., police Chief Robert Contee said in a press conference Thursday.

“A concealed carry permit was issued in that case,” Contee said when asked if the permit was granted for the first-year congresswoman.

Boebert went viral last month for an ad she released of her walking around Capitol grounds in which she said, “I will carry my firearm in D.C. and in Congress.”

The Colorado Republican is seen in the video walking around the Capitol while appearing to carry a handgun. Members are allowed to carry handguns on Capitol grounds.

Contee said on Thursday that while the video suggested that she was armed, she’s never actually been seen with a gun. He added that after the ad was released, he learned there was a permit application “in the works” at the department.

“As we do with all our permits, if citizens are allowed to carry, then we grant them a permit,” Contee said. “In this case, she was allowed to carry and she was granted a permit. And yes, we did reach out to the office.”

Benjamin Stout, a spokesperson for Boebert, told The Hill that she has received her concealed carry permit, adding “as a Co-Chair of the Second Amendment Caucus, she has proudly helped some of her colleagues receive this permit as well.”

Other lawmakers have gained attention over being armed on Capitol Hill following the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Most recently, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) notoriously set off metal detectors with a concealed gun last month. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) has also admitted to being armed during the riots, though it wasn’t clear if he actually carried a gun to the House floor.

Contee said he wasn’t sure how many other permits were issued to members of Congress out of the “thousands” of permits that have been approved, but said he was certain “there are probably others.”