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Lawmakers: Members bringing guns to Capitol over Patterson concerns
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| Contributor | Craverguy |
| Last Edited | Craverguy Apr 03, 2012 03:33pm |
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| Category | News |
| Author | Evan Wyloge |
| News Date | Tuesday, April 3, 2012 06:50:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Some lawmakers have begun bringing firearms to the state Capitol, citing a growing fear of Rep. Daniel Patterson, whose alleged hostile outbursts and erratic behavior were detailed in an investigative report on Monday.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Phoenix Democrat and Iraq war veteran, said he brought his 9mm pistol to work today.
Gallego said that bringing a weapon to the Capitol is just one safety precaution being taken while Patterson is facing ethics charges – and possible expulsion from the House of Representatives – in connection to his domestic violence charges.
“Some state representatives are having security walk them from place to place, other state representatives have brought their personal weapons to work,” Gallego said.
Gallego said he knows of at least three other House members from both parties who are carrying weapons, but he wouldn’t identify them.
“Just look for the bulge in the lower back or the bulge at the ankle,” Gallego said.
Gallego said he always takes safety precautions when he carries his weapon, and he said he will not actually bring it to the floor. Rather, he said he keeps it in his office.
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell refused to say whether he brought a gun to the Capitol grounds, but did make a point of saying that he didn’t bring one into the building. He said he also has heard that other lawmakers are arming themselves.
“Look, I don’t have one on me right now,” Campbell said from the House floor. “I didn’t bring one onto the floor or into the building.”
During a press conference held immediately after House Democrats unsuccessfully tried to have Patterson expelled from the House, Campbell explained why there is such an urgent sense of danger. |
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