Recently, a group of gun rights activists in Nebraska showed up at the capitol with various types of guns on their purpose, including semi-automatic rifles. The entire day went by without incident and no one was hurt or even threatened. While some might disagree with using firearms as basically props just to make a point, the truth is that nothing happened.
However, despite the lack of incidents, some lawmakers want to ban guns in the capitol.
Nebraska lawmakers who for decades have allowed gun owners to openly carry rifles and handguns in most public spaces may be carving out one new exception to that right — at their own workplace in the Capitol.
Some state lawmakers in the nonpartisan Legislature promised Thursday to push for a new ban on guns at the Nebraska Capitol after activists appeared at a legislative hearing with loaded, semiautomatic rifles to protest a series of gun-control bills.
The display last week terrified and infuriated some lawmakers, who called it an intimidation tactic, and even some gun-rights supporters said the protesters shouldn’t have done it. On Thursday, some lawmakers said they had seen online comments from one of those gun owners praising a social media post that said, “Kill your local politician.”
“I don’t have words for how upset I am,” said a visibly angry Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln. “I’m upset, but I’m not scared. I’m not scared of these people, but I’m ashamed that members of this Legislature had to go through this.”
Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, of Omaha, who introduced one of the gun control bills, said she was “disappointed and disheartened” that very few of her 48 fellow senators had spoken publicly about the incident.
Cavanaugh said she plans to propose a legislative rule change next week to prohibit members of the public from bringing guns into the building. Last week, she said she felt threatened by show of guns behind her as she testified on her bill.
“I hope all 48 of you are prepared to send cards to my children if something happens to me,” she said through tears
Holy crap, the melodrama. She should audition for a Mexican soap opera with that schtick.
Look, it’s important that everyone involved understands a few things. First and foremost, there were no incidents at the Nebraska Capitol. No one was hurt, no one was threatened, no one was intimidated.
I’m not saying no one felt intimidated, but they’re responsible for their own feelings. No one did anything to make anyone feel such a way and that’s all anyone can be expected to do.
Someone liking a post on Facebook is a different matter entirely and has no bearing on the issue at hand. Especially since someone who wants to kill a politician won’t have any problems ignoring bans on guns in the capitol or, if security is too tight, just waiting outside for the politician in question. They have to leave sometime.
Plus, frankly, so do those who wish to conduct lawful business at the state capitol. They have to go outside at some point to go home. Banning firearms from the capitol exposes these people to risk they shouldn’t have to endure.
Look, I’m not a big fan of carrying guns around just to make a point. I’ve done it in the past, mind you, but I’m not inclined to do it again. I don’t think it actually wins converts, and that’s something we desperately need. However, I also think people have a right to do so and just because I may not agree with how they exercise that right, it doesn’t mean they should be prohibited from exercising that right in the manner they so desire.
What shouldn’t happen, though, is lawmakers getting so freaked out over a big old nothing that they start trying to change laws.
No one threatened anyone. No one intimidated anyone.
Cavanaugh is ramping up the drama and hysterics to score a political point and we all know it. That doesn’t mean she won’t be successful in changing the law, though. That still remains to be seen.
