The Legislature’s latest gun debate turned personal Thursday, with one lawmaker noting her “struggle” over the chance of guns just feet away in the State Capitol. 

As lawmakers fought over easing the state’s gun laws, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh worried about the possibility of an active shooter nearby.

“There are people up in the balcony here that are here advocating and in support of this bill, which is fine, but we have taken zero precautions to ensure that there are no deadly weapons up there,” cautioned the Omaha Democrat. She was opposing State Sen. Tom Brewers legislation to allow the concealed carry of certain firearms without a permit.

Cavanaugh adding that her concerns “restrained” her comments on the bill. She then recalled a 2020 public hearing on a so-called “red flag” law that would allow judges—following a hearing—to order that guns be taken from people believed to be dangerous or unstable.

“I still to this day, very much struggle with that day of hearings where I had people with loaded weapons sitting behind me as I was introducing a bill that they were opposed to,” said Cavanaugh. "And when we had the red flag bill here at the Capitol and had lots of people in it with guns, we closed the balcony because, as I was told, it's like shooting fish in a barrel."

A few minutes later Brewer rejected Cavanaugh’s uneasiness. “Everyone was checked that went in the balcony by the State Patrol. There are no guns there,” insisted the western Nebraska Republican.

And he wasn’t done.

“Her comments simply take away the voice of the second house. If you can't sit in this body and deal with the fact of who's in that balcony, then you shouldn't be in this body," said Brewer. "We are here to represent our districts in the state of Nebraska and if you can't handle the fact that some people may not agree with you than I would really do a gut check right now whether you're in the right place or not.”

Contacted by News Channel Nebraska, a spokesman for the State Patrol said the agency does not publicly discuss capitol security procedures but "provides security for the legislative chamber, including the balconies, when the legislature is in session.” The spokesman adding, “I’m not aware of anyone attempting to bring a weapon into the balcony today.” 

The State Capitol is not armed with metal detectors.