Ken Buck investigated for having an AR-15 in his DC office Update: Dismissed
posted at 11:01 am on April 22, 2015 by Jazz Shaw
David Gregory nearly found out the hard way about defying the District of Columbia’s restrictive gun laws ( though prosecutors lost interest in the story quickly) and now one congressman may be entering into the same sort of kerfuffle. Representative Ken Buck (R-Colorado) tweeted a picture of himself and Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) holding Buck’s AR-15. The problem is that the picture was taken in Buck’s House offices.
.@TGowdySC stopped by today and we got a photo with my AR-15 #2A #SecondAmendment @TPPatriots @TeaPartyExpress pic.twitter.com/FhnAlyqTeW
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) April 16, 2015
As The Hill is reporting, somebody sent this information off to the authorities and an investigation is underway.
Police in Washington, D.C., have been referred materials for a possible investigation into two Republican congressmen who posed for a picture with an assault rifle in a House office building…
Having the AR-15 in the District could be a violation of the city’s strict gun laws, and the city attorney general’s office has referred the matter to police, a spokesman told The Hill.
“The matter has been referred to the Metropolitan Police Department for further investigation,” he said.
Buck said in the tweet the assault rifle is his and the picture was taken after Gowdy “stopped by.”
This could turn out to be a problem for Congressman Buck because the authorities there may not have a problem looking the other way for a rather liberal friendly member of the network media, but if they get their claws into a Republican things may get far more serious. Looking at the current D.C. gun laws, they do prohibit the registration and possession of “an assault weapon” and a .pdf of the specific banned weapons does include the AR-15 series, with penalties of a fine up to $1000 and a year in jail for a first offense.
Buck explained that the weapon is inoperable because, “the bolt carrier assembly is not in the rifle; it is in fact in Colorado.” We’ll need some lawyers versed in the specifics of these laws to make a determination but I’m not sure if that qualifies. It may indeed be true that “the” bolt carrier assembly which came with the rifle is in Colorado, but a replacement assembly could be inserted, right? On a quick check I don’t see any cases which have been argued on a gun possession charge involving a weapon with any components missing.
At first blush I can certainly sympathize with Congressman Buck. These laws are ridiculous and the ones talking about so called “assault weapons” are doubly so. But from a strictly conservative perspective, we don’t fight against gun grabbing laws by violating them, we fight to get them changed. While the laws are on the books we’re still obligated to follow them, particularly if we work in the chamber responsible for crafting laws. Perhaps there is an out here or, failing that, the authorities may take all the particulars into consideration and opt not to pursue this as they did with David Gregory. But given Ken Buck’s high profile position I wouldn’t bet the ranch on it.
UPDATE: No action to be taken.
After consulting with the Capitol Police, D.C. Metro Police decided to take no action, officials in the city said
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The gun is really no big deal. Congressmen are exempt from the ban.
The real question is what is up with Trey Gowdy’s lid? That’s some strange looking stuff.
Captain Kirock on April 22, 2015 at 12:48 PM
I love the understatement of the last line from that story.
Try, “DC Metro Police realized there was nothing they could do about it.” The only thing they “decided” was how best to spin their powerlessness.
There Goes the Neighborhood on April 22, 2015 at 12:51 PM
Lol.
Apparently Jazz is the same way.
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 12:55 PM
Isn’t that the phrase so beloved by the gun grabbers: “Why do you need that?” “Nobody needs such a weapon.”
Which perfectly reveals their mindset: They want a free hand to make whatever laws sound good to them, and you have to give them a good reason why you need an exception to them.
The question, as in all liberty-reducing questions, should be, “why do you think you need to restrict this?”
There Goes the Neighborhood on April 22, 2015 at 12:58 PM
I like your post…but disagreed when you talk about Gowdy’s error. I don’t think he was ever in error in this non-incident.
freedomfirst on April 22, 2015 at 1:07 PM
Doesn’t the
constitution say something to say about this; Something about the immunities of elected congressional and Executive officials? If the city of Washington DC passes local ordinances that control the actions of Congress, then they rule this country, instead of the voting citizens. The police should be congratulated. At least they know their Constitutional limitations, unlike many, many posters here.
Old Country Boy on April 22, 2015 at 1:10 PM
FWIW, the fact that the bolt carrier assembly has been removed probably isn’t relevant. What makes it an A/R is the lower assembly. This is the actual “firearm” part that is serialized and subject to Federal sales regulations.
As to what qualifies as an “assault weapon” under DC law, who they hell could ever decipher?
peski on April 22, 2015 at 1:17 PM
Should be lower receiver, not assembly.
peski on April 22, 2015 at 1:18 PM
For the same reason I have one in mine, because I enjoy its presence, and that should be good enough.
Bishop on April 22, 2015 at 1:26 PM
Same reason I have two in my house.
peski on April 22, 2015 at 1:28 PM
So your office is at the bottom of a lake?
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 1:29 PM
I need it for my self-esteem, and it allows me to express myself in a Constitutionally guaranteed form.
Same reasons gays use.
BobMbx on April 22, 2015 at 1:30 PM
Had, not have, my mistake.
So there you go, NSA monitor guy who’s perusing this thread, past tense.
Bishop on April 22, 2015 at 1:31 PM
:P
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 1:33 PM
Need an edit:
Sacramento on April 22, 2015 at 1:33 PM
Once upon a time, it was called AMERICA.
We have a way here in this Land of showing off..
We like (well some of us) big cars, big boats, big guns….
And here’s the most salient point…WE have the Freedom to be
like that.
ToddPA on April 22, 2015 at 1:35 PM
I sold the PU for a Prius, but I usually take a unicycle for local errands, especially to purchase free range beets and organic carob.
See that, NSA dude, I’m on your side.
Bishop on April 22, 2015 at 1:38 PM
I recommend a tricycle since you are less likely to be injured, and thus won’t have to justify your existence when seeking treatment from an ObamaCare appointed physician.
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 1:41 PM
Sounds like some ‘adult’ explained the facts-of-life to this prosecutor vis-a-vis the relationship of his office to the Congress of the United States and its ability to provide, or not, funding to agencies of that United States.
Another Drew on April 22, 2015 at 1:44 PM
Of course no action is to be taken. He may be a Republican but he’s still a member of the protected class. Hades was a God, he had to live in hell, but still a God, and so it is with a Republican rep. The laws are for us little people, and their capricious application is all the proof you need.
DFCtomm on April 22, 2015 at 1:50 PM
Why did DiFi need several tables full of them for her Nazi gun-grabbing photo op?
As a pro-gun Republican congressman from Colorado, maybe Ken is making a statement about the 2nd Amendment to counter idiots like DiFi.
Or maybe he’s planning to do some snipe hunting on the Capital mall….
If you didn’t catch the tone of my, and others’ comments – the big gubmint nannies / gun-grabbers are the ones who always say “What do you NEED a ____ for?”
dentarthurdent on April 22, 2015 at 1:56 PM
BTW – my wife and I each have one, er uh, we did until that fateful fishing trip with Bishop.
They’re very good at shredding paper, and perhaps other things as well……
I also have a bigger house than I need, and a bigger truck than I need, and more tools than I need, and we drink more wine than we need……
dentarthurdent on April 22, 2015 at 2:13 PM
.
I am not sure I understand this question. When my grandfather spoke about his lid he was talking about his white Panama hat. I do not see Gowdy wearing a hat. Now perhaps lid is some kind of “cool” designation meaning his hair. If that is your point…why not say hair? It is a perfectly good word and in the dictionary. If you spoke English maybe people would understand you.
One is judged by his communication skills. I pride myself on having reasonably good communication skills. But I guess the need to be understood is not important to all. As Cool Hand Luke said….what we have here is failure to communicate.
logicman_1998 on April 22, 2015 at 2:34 PM
The use of the word ‘lid’ aside I caught Gowdy on a Forensic Files rerun on CNN (only time I watch that God awful network). He was sporting his distinctive hairdos back when he was a prosecutor as well. It’s hard not to focus on his hair when he is talking.
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 2:40 PM
I have a Peoples Garden where I grow enough veggies for me and 10 other comrades. I love the Homeland. Seriously.
BobMbx on April 22, 2015 at 2:50 PM
if you want to focus on hair…try Cornel West or Donald Trump. Now there is hair!!!!
logicman_1998 on April 22, 2015 at 2:59 PM
No, see in this case they’ve decided you can have two pitchers (or two catchers), since a “traditional” batter is bigoted. At least that’s what teh gheys tell me.
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:20 PM
s/b traditional battery
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:20 PM
OMG. As if their/they’re/there wasn’t bad enough on these posts.
Capital (seat of government) =/= Capitol (building)
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:25 PM
I WANT it. That’s all the why I need. Bureaucrats don’t get to decide HOW we exercise our Enumerated Natural Rights in the Constitution.
ConstantineXI on April 22, 2015 at 3:31 PM
Thank you for pointing that out. It won’t ever happen again, so their.
NotCoach on April 22, 2015 at 3:35 PM
Good grief !!! A law abiding citizen/congressman with a deadly militia weapon, in the nations capitol. What is going on in America !!! :-)
kjatexas on April 22, 2015 at 3:36 PM
If he’s in Ken Buck’s district he might no longer have to justify himself to ObamaCare… at least not as such.
Coloado is looking at doing “free” health care for
AllMostAn unknown number of state residents.And
it will only(to start it will only) require an extra 10% taxes on all income in the state of Colorado (on top of the existing 4.63% state taxes). They’re calling it “ColoradoCare” and it is approved to gather signatures from the Secretary of State on April 3rd.Here is the Colorado Sec of State link for the proposed amendment:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2015-2016/20Final.pdf
It’s a fun bill, lots of hard work at making if “fair”.
Section 4 – 1 – a – II –
Appointment to the “interim” board for overseeing this requires:
As we have some homeless people in Colorado; clearly one must be on the board to reflect the social diversity; right?
The amendment seems to require that.
Section 9 – 1 a 0.9% tax to fund “preparing” for the bill.
Section 9 – 2 the 10% tax to fund the bill
And section 9 – 3
So you might not be covered, if you are it is NOT insurance, so you will need to pay the Obamacare uninsured fine, while the state takes an extra 10% of your income to insure your care without calling it insurance…
I’d heard they were pushing for a State House/Senate vote for the Amendment, but they couldn’t get a vote so they’re gathering signatures to get this on the ballot to try for the 2/3rds approval required from both to pass it.
http://www.co-operatecolorado.org/
I’m really hoping this goes nowhere.
If it goes somewhere, so will I.
It’s good to be a single programmer who can work remotely on occasion.
gekkobear on April 22, 2015 at 3:50 PM
Didn’t mean to really pick on you. This thread seems to be devoid of trolls; so I was board. (:O)
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:51 PM
Too bad we don’t have marriage equality so you could just hitch up with some random schmoe and get all kinds of bennies.
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:53 PM
Oh snap.
Brought to you by Tlaloc’s Bestest Source For All Knowledges(TM)…otherwise known as Wikipedia.
Nutstuyu on April 22, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Drives the media nuts.
Schadenfreude on April 22, 2015 at 3:57 PM
To be perfectly honest, it drives me nuts, too. I think we *all* ought to have that right (if we work in gov’t buildings).
GWB on April 22, 2015 at 4:01 PM
You can do that to your heart’s content if you keep them all for yourself. But if you want to sell them after you finish them, even without any additional parts added to them, you need a FFL (and add each one, serialized, to federal records) because you are selling ‘a firearm’ and you then fall under the category of ‘firearms manufacturer.’ My understanding of the law is less clear if you want to make them and give them away, or have someone give you one to mill for them, but I do know that anyone with a FFL can’t be involved in any way in milling an 80% lower out for someone else without federal restrictions (and records) applying.
James on April 22, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Gowdy looks uncomfortable.
Maybe his first time?
verbaluce on April 22, 2015 at 4:04 PM
It’s my understanding he’s many times been on the range with an AR-15 (Colt, original). Lots of other 7.62s as well…like the HK417.
And has had the opp to fire pretty much every caliber handgun, incl. most semi-autos.
rogerb on April 22, 2015 at 4:18 PM
I don’t particularly disagree with you, but point out that the “rule of men” begins with the first man/woman/whatever who breaks a law that they, personally, consider unjust or unConstitutional — regardless of whether it is or is not so.
Obama excuses all of his abrogations and “extensions” of the legislated-law in this manner.
It is a conundrum.
AesopFan on April 22, 2015 at 4:24 PM
Lolz!
Bmore on April 22, 2015 at 5:53 PM
If my ragged behind somehow got into Congress, (oh, Lordy, that’s freakin’ hilarious!) you can bet I’d be packing some firepower. Rifles are kind of unwieldy in and out cars and offices though.:p
/
S. D. on April 22, 2015 at 7:39 PM
Schadenfreude on April 22, 2015 at 7:48 PM
D.C. Metro Police = jack-booted nazi bastards. F them.
earlgrey on April 22, 2015 at 8:42 PM
No, the conservative perspective is that so long as the constitution says “shall not be infringed”, anything restricting your rights they whine you’re violating isn’t actually law, it’s just the scribbles of tyrants.
CapnObvious on April 22, 2015 at 9:41 PM
The real question is what is up with Trey Gowdy’s lid? That’s some strange looking stuff.
Captain Kirock on April 22, 2015 at 12:48 PM
Agreed. Trey is one good haircut away from running for the presidency.
AppraisHer on April 22, 2015 at 10:06 PM
I also want Trey G to be POTUS someday or Ag or on the SC…!!!however, I seriously want to sit him down in the barber chair..with me supervising…I am thinking at this point..something more like a crew cut in the front…and getting rid of that jacket..it doesn’t fit..maybe it was just the way he is standing…
Xango Annie on April 22, 2015 at 10:26 PM
Bmore on April 23, 2015 at 12:13 AM
“But from a strictly conservative perspective, we don’t fight against gun grabbing laws by violating them, we fight to get them changed.”
speak for yourself.
I think the 95% plus non-compliance to the NY and CT gun and magazine registrations/restrictions speaks to where real gun owners are coming from.
we will not comply.
DEFY-RESIST-EVADE-SMUGGLE
I invite any gun owner behind enemy lines to come to NH to stock up on banned items before going home.
or better yet, come here to NH and help us stay free.
warhorse_03826 on April 23, 2015 at 1:58 AM
It’s interesting how rich and powerful people get cases dismissed and some shmoe in the hood would get 5 years for the same thing.
ArthurMachado on April 23, 2015 at 6:12 AM
I said it before and I’ll say it again…
I don’t care if his hair looks like that guy’s from A Flock of Seagulls, as long as he actually does his job.
CurtZHP on April 23, 2015 at 7:22 AM
For the next idiot who asks whether or not he would attend a gay wedding.
WhirledPeas on April 23, 2015 at 10:10 AM
If Buck is in trouble anywhere, it’s with his magazine. Our fine Colorado Democratic congress passed a 10 round limit on magazines (As we all know, it’s only the next several rounds that actually kill people).
Governor Chickenpooper needs Buck’s mag in his office as a reminder of which country he lives in (cool artwork). The same idiots passed the MJ, law flying in the face of federal law. Truly a WTF moment.
The inmates running the asylum called the Colorado Congress are a disgrace. And they make our state a disgrace.
NoPain on April 23, 2015 at 10:12 AM
Missed WhirledPeas post typing mine. Hilarious.
Also explains the large magazine.
NoPain on April 23, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Too bad they folded so quickly. Ths KosKids were having a serious freak-out over this yesterday…always so entertaining when leftist heads explode like that.
WhirledPeas on April 23, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Now they’re fundraising over this non-event.
Memories Pizza seems to inspire a lot of so-con martyr schemes.
But for sure, Gowdy’s weapon grip is, um, well…gentle and soft.
Maybe before anyone sends in any $, he should have to try holding it all by himself?
verbaluce on April 23, 2015 at 12:53 PM
I think that haircut needs an investigation.
JackM on April 24, 2015 at 10:52 AM
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