The Texas Legislature wrapped up business with a bang Monday in Austin.
A large group of protesters gathered at the Capitol to show anger at a bill passed this session banning so-called "sanctuary cities" from the Lone Star State and allowing police more leeway to question immigration status.
House leaders suspended legislative activity-which on the last day generally consists of glad-handing and posing for photos-to have the chamber cleared of the protesters, many of whom wore red shirts and were shouting and carrying signs opposing the new law.
The crowd was dispersed without much incident.
The same can't be said of lawmakers, though. One, Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, called U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the protesters and made sure to tell his Hispanic colleagues all about it.
That made some of them mad. An argument ensued. There was pushing and shoving, and Rinaldi apparently threatened to shoot one fellow lawmaker. He later released a statement saying the comment was made in self-defense and that the other party, Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, threatened his life first. Rinaldi also apparently sought protection from the Department of Public Safety.
Nevarez's response came via Twitter, where he denied Rinaldi's allegations and for good measure called him a "liar" and a "hateful man."
We don't know who said what first. We'll let the adults in the House leadership sort this out.
But we do know this is unacceptable behavior from both sides. Elected officials shouldn't act like little children. And that's what happened.
We don't care who started it. It's a disgrace. Voters should take note.