One of the Trump supporters charged for the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol allegedly brought a firearm with him.
"An Indiana man charged with carrying a loaded firearm to the Capitol on Jan. 6 told investigators that if he had found Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 'you'd be here for another reason,' according to court documents posted over the weekend," Politico reported Monday. "Mark Mazza, 56, is the latest of about half a dozen Jan. 6 defendants charged with bringing a gun to the Capitol. In this case, Mazza allegedly carried a Taurus revolver known as 'The Judge,' which is capable of firing shotgun shells — two of which were in the chamber, along with three hollow-point bullets."
The 45 Long Colt cartridges are usually loaded with bullets over 200 grains in weight, which are larger than the bullets most Americans use for big game hunting.
"Camera footage shows Mazza present during the most intense hand-to-hand violence of the day in the Capitol's lower West terrace tunnel," Politico reported. "Though reports of rioters charged with carrying firearms have been limited, the number has been steadily climbing. A former DEA agent brandished his service weapon outside the Capitol. A Texas man was charged with bringing a handgun as well. Leaders of the Oath Keepers charged with conspiring to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 election aren't facing firearms charges, but prosecutors have pieced together evidence suggesting they kept a stockpile of weapons at a hotel in nearby Arlington, Va."
Despite the violent nature of the attack being broadcast live on television, Republicans like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) have attempted to claim those who attacked the Capitol were peaceful and law-abiding.
"In addition to the growing number of firearms authorities suspect were carried onto Capitol grounds, rioters brought knives, axes, batons, tasers, bats, poles and even a crutch and hockey stick. Others stole police shields and used metal barricades and furniture as makeshift weapons," Politico reported. "But Mazza's case is the most clear-cut yet of a loaded firearm on Capitol grounds that day. Prosecutors obtained the gun from the alleged assailant himself and used its serial number to trace it back to him. They located Mazza after learning that on Jan. 8, Mazza himself reported the gun stolen to local authorities."
Read the full report.
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