Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) tells The Tennessee Star in an exclusive interview Saturday morning, “Going forward, I don’t want to confirm or deny whether I carry or not.”
The Star asked DesJarlais whether he currently has a permit to carry a gun.
“I don’t have a carry permit,” DesJarlais says.
“I usually have somebody with me that does. It’s easier for me to communicate with people one on one without having a weapon on me,” he adds.
In light of the shooting of Congressman Steven Scalise (R-LA), staffers, a lobbyist, and Capitol Hill Police by James Hodgkinson at a practice of the Republican Congressional baseball team in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday, DesJarlais made it clear to The Star that he will immediately reconsider his previous personal policy concerning whether he will be armed or not.
“Going forward, I don’t want to confirm or deny whether I carry or not,” DesJarlais says again for emphasis.
That statement suggests that anyone who intends on harming DesJarlais in the future will be met with an immediate and forceful response.
As The Star reported Friday night, “Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) was one of six Republican members of Congress–all of whom belong to the conservative House Freedom Caucus–who were on a handwritten list found in the van of James Hodgkinson, the man who shot Rep. Steven Scalise, two staffers, a lobbyist, and two Capitol Hill policemen at a Republican Congressional baseball team practice in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.”
“Hodgkinson was killed in an exchange of gunfire with Capitol Hill Police Wednesday morning. They were at the practice as part of Rep. Scalise’s security detail since as Republican Majority Whip he is part of the House leadership team. Scalise remains in critical condition, though doctors said Friday his condition has improved. A lobbyist for Tyson’s Food who was shot in the chest by Hodgkinson also remains in critical condition,” The Star noted.
He can’t stand up for his own beliefs. You think he is going to stand up for yours?