Over the Memorial Day weekend, I found myself in more than one debate over whether or not Montana’s newly-elected representative, Greg Gianforte, should have placed his hands on a reporter who reportedly shoved a mic in his face. While I support the right to self defense without question, no one knows what really happened in that room between Guardian reporter, Brad Jacobs, and Gianforte aside from the two of them and a couple of witnesses whose memories may or may not be accurate. I’m of the opinion that Gianforte should have either called security or the police, whichever was appropriate to his situation. I know that this has become the unpopular opinion as of late, but the reporter, as far as I know, was just doing what reporters do: asking a question. Was he rude? Maybe. But so what? The guy was practicing his First Amendment right. So if Gianforte can’t handle obnoxious reporters, then the dude ought to consider another line of work. Which brings me to my point: as most of the nation was observing Memorial Day yesterday, in the Texas state capitol at least two legislators from either side of the aisle got into a heated exchange, with one allegedly threatening bodily harm on the other, and the other allegedly promising to assert his Second Amendment right to self defense. From Legal Insurrection:

[Monday] was the last day of the Texas legislative regular session. But before the typical closing ceremonies were held, a near brawl broke out between lawmakers.

Stoked by anti-SB 4 protestors, Democrat and Republican lawmakers exchanged harsh words and a few shoves. Senate Bill 4 is the state’s Sanctuary City bill, which would require local and campus law enforcement to comply with federal immigration communication laws, or be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Governor Abbott signed the bill into law earlier this month.

At the center of the SB-4 conflict was Republican state Rep. Matt Rinaldi, who said he called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on protestors carrying “I am illegal and here to stay” placards. After being manhandled and harassed (Rinaldi claims), he responded to an alleged threat on his person by saying he would respond to any attempts on his life by shooting the offending Representative in self-defense.

VIDEO: Lawmakers in Texas House scuffle during #SINEDIE on Monday.
BACKGROUND: https://t.co/q77vMguaXh pic.twitter.com/zlAGEaL0pB

— KVUE News (@KVUE) May 29, 2017

As you can see in the video, it appears the Democrats were the physical aggressors. Cuz Rinaldi is a big, racist meanie who says unkind things, or something.