Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert Joke About Blowing Up Capitol Metal Detectors

Matt Gaetz said at a colleague's campaign rally that he wanted to "blow 'em up," referring to metal detectors at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

The remark by the Republican representative for Florida was later repeated on his Twitter account, which was then endorsed by the account for Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, and retweeted by Florida state representative and U.S. Congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini.

Congressman Gaetz told Newsweek via email: "After Republicans take the Majority, I intend to introduce a rule change to have the metal detectors foolishly around the House Floor removed and destroyed. Blown up if possible, with their recycled parts used for shooting practice."

In a clip filmed by the Right Side Broadcasting Network, Gaetz is seen addressing a crowd at an America First rally, in front of a "Sabatini For Congress" sign.

He said: "My friend Lauren Boebert from Colorado, they put in metal detectors in front of the House because and a 5-foot-nothing woman, she carries a firearm for her own protection, so, they got triggered for that. I said man, is it, is it 'tannonite' or C-4 we want to put in those metal detectors and we blow 'em up."

The metal detectors were installed after the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol by a mob of pro-Trump supporters. The attack left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer.

Tannerite is a brand of explosive used for firearms practice, but in large amounts is capable of producing a powerful explosion. C-4 is variety of plastic explosive used by the U.S. Armed Forces.

Gaetz appeared to double-down on his comments via his personal Twitter page on Sunday night, writing: "If you can't fantasize about blowing up useless metal detectors with @laurenboebert at a Florida Halloween political rally for @AnthonySabatini, when can you?"

This post was then commented upon by Boebart, who wrote: "I'll bring the Tannerite!" She later added: "To the fools who think this would be done inside the Capitol: get a life! The metal detectors are useless and we are getting rid of them when Republicans take back the House."

Sabatini also indicated his apparent support by retweeting Gaetz and Boebert's tweets. Newsweek has contacted Gaetz, Boebert and Sabatini for comment.

Gaetz's original comments concerning the cause of the heightened security around the Capitol contradict the official explanation.

Metal detectors were installed at the entrances to the Capitol complex in the wake of the violent January 6 insurrection. These measures proved unpopular with Boebert, who has previously been quoted as saying "government does not get to tell me, or my constituents how we are allowed to keep our families safe," as well as pledging to "carry my Glock to Congress."

This attitude resulted in a short stand-off outside the Capitol on January 13, after she refused to show police the contents of her bag.

Gaetz last week suggested the Department of Justice was "biased against Republicans" for not being aggressive enough in arresting a person who allegedly sent him death threats.

Boebert recently denied calims in an October 24 Rolling Stone that organizers of the January 6 Capitol attack participated in dozens of planning meetings with elected officials, including her office.