Florida Republican sends welcome grenades to fellow Congress members

The grenades were sent by another freshman, Cory Mills, a member of the armed services and foreign affairs committees.

The comparison to Santos was made by congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut, a member of the House intelligence committee.

A defense and security contractor before entering Congress, he has boasted about selling teargas used against protesters for racial justice.

Weapons are banned in Congress and subject to strict restrictions in Washington DC. There is, however, an exception for members, under federal law.

After January 6, amid fears of congressional violence unmatched since the years before the civil war, metal detectors were installed outside the House chamber.

Republicans chafed at the security measure. Andy Harris of Maryland was found to be carrying a gun near the House chamber.

In 2020 a Republican from Colorado, Ken Buck, made waves when he said advocates of an assault weapons ban would have to forcibly remove an AR-15-style rifle he kept in his Washington office.

The brightly painted rifle was unloaded and carried a trigger lock, even though it lacked a bolt carrier assembly and thus could not be fired.