Congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert says with a giggle that the Second Amendment “has nothing to do with hunting, unless you’re talking about hunting tyrants, maybe.” Boebert expressed this opinion in an interview with Breitbart News at Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit held in Florida last week.
Tyrants aren’t an abstract concept for Boebert; she has used the term to describe both Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
When militia members entered the Michigan state capitol in May armed with assault rifles, Boebert tweeted “Whitmer should not be in power. She’s become an outright tyrant.” She also voiced her support of their actions to RealVail.com’s David O. Williams, using the same language as last week’s interview.
“It is a protection against a tyrannical government,” Boebert said. “So I don’t see that we would ever have to use our Second Amendment rights against our government, but that is what it’s for. It’s not for hunting. It’s not for target shooting or for sport.”
Months later, federal authorities arrested fourteen Michigan militia members plotting to publicly execute Gov. Whitmer and other elected officials after storming the Capitol. At least two of those men attended the armed protests that took place inside the statehouse.
In early December she characterized Polis’ public health orders as “tyranny” in an op-ed for a right-wing Colorado blog.
Since becoming Congresswoman-elect, Boebert also publicized her desire to carry her handgun on the U.S. Capitol complex grounds. Current regulations forbid members of Congress from carrying firearms in the House chamber or nearby areas.
It’s unclear if Boebert was joking or if she believes she has a constitutional right to hunt those she believes are “tyrants.”
An email inquiry to her campaign spokesperson asking for clarification as well as if Boebert has any concerns that others may take her statement as an endorsement of using deadly force against elected officials, was not immediately returned. This article will be updated with any response received.
