Has become common in some circles to call January 6 Capitol riot an 'armed insurrection.' Which leads to questions: How many rioters were armed? And what weapons did they have? 1/12 washingtonexaminer.com/news/armed-ins…
Justice Department website lists defendants, charges. When weapons are involved, specifies the type. So here are some numbers. 2/12 washingtonexaminer.com/news/armed-ins…
Out of around 670 people charged, I counted 82 who face weapons-related charges. That's about 12% of total. And of course, the number of people charged with anything, 670, is far smaller than number who were on Capitol grounds. 3/12
So a fairly small percentage of Capitol rioters are accused of being armed. But armed with what? 4/12
A representative list of weapons: Helmet. Baton. Crutch. Walking stick. Handgun. Pepper spray. Flag pole. Knife. Baseball bat. Crowd control barrier. Police shield. Hockey stick. Axe. Metal sign. Desk drawer. 5/12
On guns: 5 people have been charged. One was not in DC when riot occurred. One was off-duty DEA agent with service weapon. Two were arrested at night, after riot, when police found handguns on them as they left. Last one charges simply say had a gun. 6/12
Were there more? Since few arrests were made on the scene, maybe so. We don't know. What is certain is that none of the suspects fired any guns at any time during the riot, even though the physical fighting became quite intense. 7/12
Other weapons: 6 are charged with having knife, although none accused of using it on another person. 5 are charged with having taser. 3 with axe; 4 baseball bat. 7 crutch. 11 baton. 13 irritant spray. 19 pole, usually flag pole. 8 shield. 8/12 washingtonexaminer.com/news/armed-ins…
Some weapons were brought in anticipation of a fight, probably with antifa. Most were improvised on scene. Helmet. Drawer. Traffic barrier. Does not mean they were not dangerous. But does suggest rioters did not arrive at Capitol bent on 'armed insurrection.' 9/12
And that is problem with 'armed insurrection' talking point. By any standard of civil disorder, January 6 was a riot. There were some instigators, more followers. Small number prepared to fight. And some lost their judgment and did things they should long regret. 10/12
But a look at DOJ prosecutions simply does not make case that January 6 was an 'armed insurrection.' 11/12
Link: ''Armed insurrection': What weapons did the Capitol rioters carry?' 12/12 End. washingtonexaminer.com/news/armed-ins…
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