The Republican Party seems to be descending into barbarism. In New Hampshire, one of the first acts of the new Republican-led legislature was a vote to allow weapons in its meeting place.
CONCORD – The House of Representatives debated a rule that would limit deadly weapons in the crowded Representatives Hall chamber of 400 legislators at the State House.
House Rule 64 failed 177-197 on Convening Day Wednesday of the 2023 legislative session at the State House.
A Democratic leader and a father of a young potential visitor to the State House called the vote “irresponsible.”
Supporters of the rule argued that inadvertently, or in the heat of a debate, a weapon could discharge causing tragedy, noting that often children are in the gallery who could be hurt.
It was further argued that New Hampshire does not allow weapons to be carried into courtrooms and prisons and should not be allowed in these situations.
State Rep. Matt Wilhelm, D-Manchester, the minority leader, said the rule would “restore common sense.”
But opponents noted that when law enforcement is minutes away, a gun could be a way to keep the chamber safe.
Rep. Terry Roy, R-Deerfield, asked fellow legislators to imagine if they lived in a country where carrying a weapon was not a right.
“No House rule is going to stop a House member from defending themselves,” Roy said.
For decades until 2010, House Rules prohibited the possession of weapons in the House chamber.
Democrats reinstituted the provision in 2013-14 and again in 2019-20, and Republicans have voted to repeal the restriction in all recent terms that they have held the majority.
After the vote, Wilhelm issued the following statement:
“Prohibiting deadly weapons in the House Chamber is a common-sense policy to keep legislators, staff, and the public safe as we conduct the business of the State of New Hampshire.
“When Republicans have permitted guns in the legislature, there have been numerous incidents of dropped and mishandled firearms on House property. As the parent of a fourth grader, whom I hope will visit the State House on a field trip this spring, the public’s safety is particularly top of my mind,” Wilhelm said.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Freedom to chose between civility and barbarism.
I guess some problems solve themselves …
Ha ha ha.
That was my first thought too.
Then I scrolled down and saw your comment.
You are just quicker to the punch.
Damn.
What is the problem (no matter whether serious or facetious) to which you refer?
Tripping the Light Sardonic
Too Many Empty Barrels …
Too Many ½-Cocked ½-Wits …
Let the Buck Shot Stop Here …
“Common sense” and “Republicans” should never be used in the same sentence. It requires no great imagination to visualize some of those clowns (apologies to Emmett Kelly, et al.) turning Representatives’ Hall into a free-fire zone.
Die Free or Live
Given the choice
Republicans give
To former the voice
The Republican Ruckus
Republican Ruckus
Wants guns in the House
So Cover and Duck is
The way there abouts
Republicans “noted that when law enforcement is minutes away, a gun could
be a way to keep the chamber safe.”
Keeping the Chamber Safe
To keep the chamber safe
You have to keep it loaded
And safety should be off
As some have duly noted
An Empty Chamber is Dangerous”
When chamber is empty
The danger is great
Cuz that’s when it’s tempty
For Dems to dictate
Imagine what would have happened if the Capitol Police had ordered “open fire”. Instead, they behaved like professionals. That is what makes them heroic. Brandishing a weapon is the coward’s way. New Hampshire Republican legislators are yellow bellied, lily livered dandies.
If N.H. Democrats were smart, they would have “body-armor Fridays” with Kevlar helmets and other protective gear like shields as part of their wardrobes, staff included. The absurdity of these laws and rules needs to be met with more absurdity to highlight the idiocy of the former.
In Utah, not only do many legislators carry guns, but those legislators are part of the security plan. I often wonder if some legislator will come unglued and shoot someone right in the middle of the session (which thankfully only lasts 40 calendar days).
Why do Republicans in Utah even need guns?
Are there any Democrats in tge legislature to speak of?
A few. But not many. And they’re mostly being gerrymandered out.
True story, though. During the 2092 Olympics in Salt Lake, the capital was under renovation and so the legislature was meeting in temporary digs in a less -secure building nearby. Everyone was jittery from 9-11 a few months before. Without warning, the Jazz Bear (the mascot of the Utah Jazz) burst into the legislature and set off a confetti cannon. He was nearly shot by 2 legislators
The GOP, whether on a state or federal level, just keeps getting more vile, more despicable, more reactionary and more fascist with the passing of each day. So any GOP troglodyte can saunter into the legislature armed with a semi-automatic gun. What’s next, samurai swords, flame throwers, hand grenades?
Prolly tge oscillating machine gun from Breaking Bad will be tge logical next step.
Breaking Bad
Republicans
Are Breaking Bad
With all their guns
They’re raving mad
The GOP
Like Walter White
It’s clear to see
Has swerved to right
Republicans
“Are broken bad”
Would prolly be more accurate
But Michael Jackson’s would have to be rewritten as “I’m not bad” to cover all the possible connotations of “bad.” In the case of the song, bad means good.
…Jackson’s song…
I believe that we live in the only country on this planet where elected officials carry weapons to their meetings. It is amazing how backward in so many ways this country has become.
New Hampshire is not the first to go down this dangerous highway. There are many other states that allow visitors, legislators, and employees to carry weapons into legislative buildings. Many of these states do not even have medal detectors that can be used to identify which individuals are carrying weapons. And, in many states permits to carry a firearm is not required.
This country is supposed be “civilized”. I wonder if we really are “civilized”.
I’m guessing “weaponing up” is mandatory these days for attending top level Russian military staff meetings. Or at least one would be stupid and without a chance if one didn’t.
I thought medal detectors were to identify Nobel Prize winners😀
But a metal detector would work for that too.
My guess is there probably are not many Nobel Prize (Fiekds, or other use of medal ) winners among those likely to carry guns into the NH legislature, so a medal detector would probably not be of any use.
My question is, what the hell does New Hampshire need with 400 delegates to the State House? Talk about living off the avails of prostitution? NH taxpayers have to be nuts to pay that many people to govern their tiny state! How many are in its Upper Chamber? Talk about overkill!
And with loaded weapons allowed in the House, it is only a matter of time before a Republican shoots a Democrat for challenging him on some minor point. Tragedy is waiting to happen, and it will.
My guess is they need that many delegates to ensure no one ever revokes their right to die.
Good question. Utah has only a total of 104 legislators. And Utah has more population than New Hampshire
Guess they like wasting taxpayer money. No idea what the total salary of state politicians amounts to, but I bet a few social programs could be better maintained with the money.dpent on excess politicians, their perks, and the cost of running (and heating) their offices.
It’s crazy for such a small state to have such a large legislature. The GOP will be armed.
Then Democrats must show up wearing the same armor troops wear in combat and come armed.
My suggestion: a Desert Eagle .50 caliber handgun designed to kill grizzly bears. This pistol is so large, you carry it inside a sling.
Maybe Democrats should just show up with a grizzly bear, since most Republicans aren’t going to have a 50 caliber gun.
Last week a first grader in Newport News, VA shot his teacher. So perhaps the legislators worried about children getting hurt also need to consider children hurting legislators.
I wonder if gun nuts will allow a legal age limit for open carry? Or do they want to arm children too?