Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, stood by her threat to arrest anyone bringing guns into Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, while maintaining she still supports the Second Amendment.
Pirro triggered heavy backlash from the Right on Monday after she threatened to arrest anyone who brought a gun into Washington, even if they had a license from another state. Following the backlash, the U.S. attorney stood by her statement, arguing that it was consistent with local laws and didn’t go against the Second Amendment.
“Let me be clear: I am a proud supporter of the Second Amendment. Washington, D.C. law requires handguns be licensed in the District with the Metropolitan Police Department to be carried into our community,” she said in a post on X. “We are focused on individuals who are unlawfully carrying guns and will continue building on that momentum to keep our communities safe.”
She elaborated on her position further in a video post on X, saying she was a proud gun owner herself, but that that ownership comes with responsibility.
Pirro started a firestorm during a Fox News appearance on Monday, during which she boasted of her team’s crackdown on illegal gun possession.
“You bring a gun into the district, you mark my words: You’re going to jail. I don’t care if you have a license in another district, and I don’t care if you’re a law-abiding gun owner somewhere else. You bring a gun into this district, count on going to jail, and hope you get the gun back. And that makes all the difference,” Pirro said.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) led the charge against her sentiment, hinting that he possessed a gun while residing in the capital.
“The District of Columbia has been ‘shall issue’ since 2017 when the requirement that you must have a ‘good reason’ to carry a handgun was struck down. Non-residents can obtain a permit in DC — don’t ask me how I know,” he said in a post on X.
MASSIE RECOILS AT PIRRO’S VOW TO ARREST ANYONE WHO ENTERS DC WITH A GUN
Massie was quickly joined by several other Republican representatives who were more overt about their gun possession.
“I bring a gun into the district every week, @USAttyPirro. I have a license in Florida and DC to carry. And I will continue to carry to protect myself and others,” Rep. Greb Steube (R-FL) said in a post on X, adding, “Come and Take it!”