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Democratic Hill Staffers Won’t Advertise Gun-Free Homes, Citing Potential Intruder Threat

July 12, 2016

Conservative activist James O’Keefe pretended to be a spokesperson for Citizens Against Senseless Gun Violence, a fake anti-gun advocacy group, and talked to staffers of anti-gun politicians in his most recent undercover video.

O’Keefe and his team went around Capitol Hill, requesting that staffers show their stance on gun issues by placing a sign in their front yard. The sign shows the Citizens Against Senseless Gun Violence logo, and reads, "THIS HOME IS PROUDLY GUN FREE!"

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.’s (D., Mich.) legislative assistant, Erik Sperling said in the video, "I’m a big gun control advocate, but this is a new angle. I hadn’t thought of it and it makes me almost nervous."

Sperling admitted he was concerned it would make a house in Detroit a target for crime.

"You know, the concern is, oh, if there’s no gun, let me just kick down the door, [what’s the] worst thing that’s going to happen," he said.

An intern for Conyers echoed Sperling’s sentiments, saying, "I feel like that would unnecessarily make my home a target."

When asked if he would want the sign placed in the yard of Conyers’ home, Sperling said, "That house, I would like it to say, you know, ‘Armed security, stay back.’"

While others staffers were uncomfortable with the sign, James Lewis, communications director for Rep. Barbara Lee (D., Calif.), would not take the sign because it would be untrue for him.

"I’m actually a gun owner," Lewis said.