Why Some Congressmen Wear AR-15 Assault Rifle Pins

Republicans have been seen wearing AR-15 lapel pins to show their support for the Second Amendment. Photo Credits – L: Kent Nishimura – Los Angeles Times/Getty Images; C: Alex Brandon-AP; D: Anna Moneymaker-Getty Images

Some Republican congressmen are wearing controversial new lapel pins in the form of miniature AR-15 rifles. They say the pins are symbols of their commitment to the Second Amendment and Americans’ right to bear arms. Handed out enthusiastically by Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, newcomers Rep. George Santos of New York and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida were spotted wearing the pins last week.

But Democratic lawmakers and gun control advocates were quick to denounce the flashy adornments as deaf and disrespectful to victims of gun violence in America. AR-15 style semi-automatic rifles have been used in most high-profile mass shootings in recent years, including at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas; Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Conn.; and the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas.

Reporters surround Rep. George Santos (R-NY) as he walks into the House of Representatives chamber to vote Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura-Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

“Rather than address gun violence head on and take action to save lives, certain members of Congress have decided that displaying AR-15 needles days after multiple mass shootings is a clever way to support Second Amendment rights,” he said Adzi Vokhiwa, director of federal affairs for Giffords, a gun control advocacy group, says.

“In reality, this statement is an insult to the victims of Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay, Uvalde, Parkland, Buffalo and countless other mass shootings across our country,” adds Vokiwa. In less than two months of 2023, the United States has already recorded at least 54 mass shootings, according to research group Gun Violence Archive.

Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gonzalez of California started the pins debate on February 1. tweet Photos of Santos and Luna getting dressed and asking where they are from. Gonzalez pointed out that Luna wore the pin less than 48 hours after a mass shooting took place in her state of Florida, injuring 11 people. “That’s not the flex you’re thinking for,” he said tweeted.

Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) during the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.Tom Williams – CQ-Appeal, Inc./Getty Images

Clyde, owner of the Clyde Armory gun shop in Athens, Georgia, soon took credit for handing out the pins and invited other representatives to get in touch if they wanted one.

“I heard this little needle I put around the house tripped some of my fellow Democrats,” Clyde said while flashing one of the gun needles in one Video He posted on Twitter on February 2nd. “Well, I’m putting it out to remind people of the Second Amendment of the Constitution and how important it is to upholding our liberties.”

Clyde Armory sells a wide range of semi-automatic rifles, including many AR-15 variants. The congressman’s stake in the company is worth up to $25 million, according to his federal financial disclosure for 2021.

Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) during a session of the 118th Congress on Friday, January 6, 2023, in Washington, DC. Jabin Botsford – The Washington Post/Getty Images

Representatives from both sides of the political spectrum jumped up to defend their beliefs this week as the pin debate unfolded. “Weapons of war have no place on our streets, let alone on our lapels,” Rep. Dina Titus (D-NY) tweeted Thursday. Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Barry Moore from Alabama tweeted: “Save a pin for me!”

It’s unclear if the pins will appear at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

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