Speaker Hortman: Legislator’s comments cross the line

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At a rally at the State Capitol yesterday, state Representative Cal Bahr (R – Bethel) said, “There’s a lot of us in this room that have had enough, and it’s time to start riding herd on the rest of these people that want to take your rights away from you. They will not go quietly into the good night. They need to be kicked to the curb and stomped on and run over a few times.” The Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division will be holding a hearing on gun violence prevention legislation Wednesday evening.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“Rep. Bahr’s comments are reprehensible and have no place in civilized political discourse. Encouraging violence is irresponsible and dangerous. While some political issues elicit strong feelings by proponents and opponents, a hallmark of our country’s democracy is that we resolve disputes without recourse to violence. The Minnesota House of Representatives will foster a safe and respectful conversation on the issue of gun violence prevention. 

“Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want us to address the epidemic of gun violence in our communities. We will not be deterred by threatening comments intended to intimidate legislators and supporters of gun violence prevention legislation.”