Rep. Cory Mills reveals why he handed out grenades in Congress
Ryan King
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Newly elected Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) had an explosive way of cheering on the GOP House majority Thursday: inert grenades.
The congressman distributed the devices to his colleagues in a nod to his home state of Florida and his military background. Mills emphasized that he coordinated with the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms to ensure safety.
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“It’s very customary for new members of Congress to bring products from their home state, and those can be relevant to their committee assignments. Congressman Mills is a combat veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and member of [House Armed Services Committee],” a spokesperson for Mills told the Washington Examiner.
The grenades were distributed alongside a letter in which he underscored that it was his honor to work on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. At the bottom of the letter, Mills emphasized that the grenades were inert, meaning they won’t explode.
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Mills also noted that the 40mm grenades were designed for MK19 grenade launchers and manufactured in his home state of Florida. They were also first developed during the Vietnam War.
“These inert 40MMs were made in the great, free state of FL, and a gift to all House Republicans in celebration of a new majority,” his spokesperson added. “The office coordinated with sergeant at arms [and] Capitol police to clear each inert grenade, and even helped to escort them into the Capitol.”
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In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Congress erected metal detectors outside the House floor, but those were removed after Republicans took over the lower chamber. Capitol visitors are not allowed to bring guns, explosives, and other weapons into the building, but lawmakers are permitted to bring firearms into their offices if they are “unloaded and securely wrapped,” but not in congressional chambers.
Mills, a former defense contractor, flipped a seat held by former Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) during the midterm elections, riding a wave of Republican victories in the Sunshine State. He enjoyed former President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the race.