Late last week State Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel) shared news that legislators passed a bill that provides protections for the fundamental rights of Iowans. The bill would require governmental entities who implement a “gun-free zone” to then provide proper screening and security.
One of the people who were “triggered” by Chapman’s support for the bill was Bridget Carberry Montgomery. Montgomery is a city council member in Urbandale.
She said the bill is “horrible” and that guns do not belong in buildings where “tensions can run high.” She called Chapman’s support for the Second Amendment “extreme views.”
Now, for clarity sake, guns have been allowed in the Iowa Capitol for the past three years. The Iowa Standard is unaware of any shootings that have taken place, despite tensions often running high.
Dialogue continued on Chapman’s public Facebook page. When he pointed out that Montgomery is a council member in Urbandale, she asked if Chapman felt like a “big man” for pointing that out.
Chapman, though, posed a few questions for Montgomery that have remained unanswered.
Chapman asked Montgomery if she believes she should have the right to restrict the types of firearms of Urbandale residents, or if she should be able to restrict clip capacities, or if she would support restricting types of bullets and if she believes it is her right to tell the residents of the community where they can carry firearms.
Montgomery, who has plenty of profile pictures promoting Moms Demand Action, said she believes in “common sense gun solutions.” Allowing guns or preventing gun-free zones in the State Capitol, courthouses and municipal buildings is “horrible public policy,” she said.
“I have had my life threatened at a city council meeting, so I’d like to think I have some firsthand knowledge of how stupid this (sic),” she said.
The Iowa Standard contacted Montgomery over Facebook as well, asking if she believes drag queen storyhour events are appropriate in libraries. The Iowa Standard also asked the same questions Chapman asked her regarding the Second Amendment.
“There is no way on this planet that anything I would say would be given fair treatment in your article,” Montgomery said.
The Iowa Standard assured Montgomery her answer would be published verbatim. If we hear from her, we will publish her answer exactly as it is given.
When pressed by others to answer the questions, Montgomery said she won’t “engage with a constituent on someone else’s Facebook fan page.
Richard Rogers, another voice in the thread, asked Montgomery if she thinks it is proper for the council or any local government to impose restrictions on a fundamental civil right in direct contravention to state law (Iowa Code 724.28 and 724.7).
Montgomery said she does believe municipalities should have control in that situation.
“I’m not scared of your big words or Iowa Code references,” she said.
Rogers responded, “big words? Do you mean fundamental rights?”
Chapman noted it is sad Montgomery demands public comments from him, but refuses to publicly state her own positions.
Montgomery has engaged in plenty of Facebook activism herself.
