MN State Representative Found with Gun at Planned Parenthood

Minnesota State Representative Tom Hackbarth (R), who has a zero rating from NARAL and a 100 percent rating from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, was stopped by police after a Planned Parenthood security guard called the police because he noticed a man had parked his car in the Planned Parenthood parking lot and walked down a nearby alley carrying a gun in a hip holster. Although Hackworth, who has a concealed weapons permit, was not arrested, the police took possession of his revolver, citing his "stalking-like behavior" and borderline "harassment or terroristic threats" in their report.

Hackbarth stated that he was unaware that he had parked at a Planned Parenthood facility and told police that he had been searching for a woman he met online because he believed that she was seeing another man. Police were not able to verify this story because he had neither a phone number nor an address for the woman.

Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R) announced that he was temporarily suspending Hackbarth's leadership position in the Minnesota House until "the matter is settled." Hackbarth was scheduled to become chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee in January.

Media Resources: CBS Minnesota 11/24/10; Star Tribune 11/23/10; Pioneer Press 11/23/10

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