Man with gun in Idaho Statehouse calls it a big misunderstanding
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BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - A Meridian man who raised concern after he was captured on surveillance video walking around the Idaho Statehouse with a gun going through lawmakers' desks says the whole thing is just a big misunderstanding.
"For me it broke my heart that I caused our legislators to have the concern that they did," says Keith, who asked us not to use his real name. "Because that was not at all, it was the furthest thing from my mind that something like that would have occurred."
The video shows Keith with a gun on his belt. On the floor of the House of Representatives, going through legislators desks, taking photos of papers even digging into a waste basket.
He claims the picture he was taking of a document was only a phone list. His explanation for going through the waste bin was that he thought he saw a Boy Scout throw away a document which he retrieved and put back.
The gun he was carrying was something he said he does often in case he needs it for self defense. Carrying a gun inside the capitol building is also not illegal.
During his time on The Nate Shelman show on 670 KBOI Radio Keith did answer questions from callers. Some were skeptical of him reasoning for taking pictures and digging the the trash. Others claimed he crossed a line while visiting.
"As a former law enforcement officer and current security professional I do believe the gentleman crossed the line when he actually started reading documents looking at documents on desk," said Richard, a caller to the show.
Police say Keith committed no crimes in the video, and he hasn't been charged with anything. He still gave an apology during the show for the reaction it caused. Most callers including the radio host said Keith had nothing to be sorry about because he didn't do anything wrong.
"I don't think Keith did anything wrong. I think everyone that got their panties in a knot over this seem to be a little too sensitive and that's their problem, not Keith's problem," said Shelman.
Keith said he has nothing but respect for the legislature. When asked if he would meet with lawmakers to let them know he meant no harm. He said he had written emails to several asking them to meet if they wanted to.
Due to the incident the floor of the House and Senate has been closed to the public on weekends. On weekdays the floor is closed to the public after 6 p.m.
Even though Keith was armed at the time there is no discussion about banning guns at the statehouse.
"For me it broke my heart that I caused our legislators to have the concern that they did," says Keith, who asked us not to use his real name. "Because that was not at all, it was the furthest thing from my mind that something like that would have occurred."
The video shows Keith with a gun on his belt. On the floor of the House of Representatives, going through legislators desks, taking photos of papers even digging into a waste basket.
He claims the picture he was taking of a document was only a phone list. His explanation for going through the waste bin was that he thought he saw a Boy Scout throw away a document which he retrieved and put back.
The gun he was carrying was something he said he does often in case he needs it for self defense. Carrying a gun inside the capitol building is also not illegal.
During his time on The Nate Shelman show on 670 KBOI Radio Keith did answer questions from callers. Some were skeptical of him reasoning for taking pictures and digging the the trash. Others claimed he crossed a line while visiting.
"As a former law enforcement officer and current security professional I do believe the gentleman crossed the line when he actually started reading documents looking at documents on desk," said Richard, a caller to the show.
Police say Keith committed no crimes in the video, and he hasn't been charged with anything. He still gave an apology during the show for the reaction it caused. Most callers including the radio host said Keith had nothing to be sorry about because he didn't do anything wrong.
"I don't think Keith did anything wrong. I think everyone that got their panties in a knot over this seem to be a little too sensitive and that's their problem, not Keith's problem," said Shelman.
Keith said he has nothing but respect for the legislature. When asked if he would meet with lawmakers to let them know he meant no harm. He said he had written emails to several asking them to meet if they wanted to.
Due to the incident the floor of the House and Senate has been closed to the public on weekends. On weekdays the floor is closed to the public after 6 p.m.
Even though Keith was armed at the time there is no discussion about banning guns at the statehouse.
So if he didn't break any law by carrying a firearm, where's the issue? The only thing he would need to be concerned about is if legislators desks are considered private or public property. Considering that the floor was open to the public some might argue that anything left unrestricted (locked drawer) is open to public viewing. If any sensitive material was left unsecured the legislator should be held accountable for failing to maintain/control the access of said material. Same for garbage cans. He is doing nothing different then the paparazzi do, just had better access.
Just another nosey dumb Shat that thinks he has the right to go thru somebody personal stuff ...I'd shoot'em just on principle! it's just like going thru somebodys glovebox ...Let me catch you there...Bang!!!
These legislators are probably afraid they will be caught with kiddie porn, or some other equally unlawful behavior!