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Neb. senator under fire for comparing police to ISIS

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Neb. senator under fire for comparing police to ISIS
Nebraska state Sen. Ernie Chambers told fellow lawmakers on the floor Wednesday afternoon that he wouldn't apologize for statements he made during a debate over a gun bill last Friday.Video: Neb. senator under fire for comparing police to ISIS"I will continue to condemn the police when they are wrong and, in my community they are always wrong," Chambers said.The initial comments came during a hearing on an amendment to a concealed carry law that would allow off-duty officers to bring concealed weapons onto school property."My ISIS is the police," Chambers said.Listen to audio provided by KFORKFOR radio talk show host Coby Mach broadcast some of Chamber's comments on his show. The ones that were getting the most attention refer to Chambers saying that young people don't need to go overseas and join ISIS to fight injustice, and if he had a gun it would be for police."If I was gonna carry a weapon, it wouldn't be against you, it wouldn't be against these people who come here that I might have a dispute with, mine would be for the police," Chambers said. "And if I carried a gun, I'd want to shoot him first and then ask questions later like they say the cop ought to do.""To hear a message that it's OK to shoot a police officer, to me, just seems inappropriate," Mach said."First of all, I didn't say I would use a gun on police," Chambers said.Chambers said that many people haven't heard the full context of what he was saying. He said he was referring to how he and people in his community don't trust police. Chambers pointed to a recent case where an officer shot and killed an unarmed man in the back who had his hands on the hood of a car. The grand jury didn't file any charges against the officer, but the officer later resigned."These police (officers) literally get away with murder," Chambers said. "They've been given carte blanche. County Attorney Don Kleine even (said) if a cop is wrong, if he thinks he's right, it's all right."Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Les Selier, said during the hearing that he didn't see anything that warranted stopping Chambers and censuring him then, but he would have to review the transcript.Meanwhile, at least one senator and the city of Omaha is calling for Chambers to be held accountable."I think Sen. Chambers owes those who wear a uniform in law enforcement an apology. And I believe he owes an apology to every member of our armed forces who's in harm's way to defend our country," Sen. Beau McCoy said."Chambers is saying that he would do that, he wants to do that. I mean, it's a terroristic threat," President of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police John Francavilla said. "It's a very hurtful statement that he made towards us, when he's comparing us to what most Americans see as the most radical group out there. Him saying that most law enforcement officers fall into that category in his eyes.""It makes you angry. For lack of a better word, it's ridiculous," said Officer Anthony Conner, of the Omaha Police Officer's Association.While the Omaha Police Union considers Chambers' testimony disgusting, they said it won't stop their effort to connect with the people they protect."I think as long as were doing what's right and standing on the side of what's right we will be OK," Conner said.Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued the following statement Wednesday:"The comments that Sen. Ernie Chambers made today at the Nebraska Unicameral are not only reprehensible but are completely without merit. The comments are unbecoming of a state senator and have brought no value to the discussion of police community relations. I stand with my Omaha Police officers as they are hardworking dedicated professionals."Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert issued the following statement Wednesday:"Sen. Chambers attack on police officers shows total disregard for public safety. Why would any elected official state if he had a gun he would shoot a police officer. The Senator should be looking for way to improve public safety, not comparing police officers to terrorists. He owes an apology not only to Omaha Police Officers but to every citizen of Omaha."Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson issued the following statement Wednesday:"Sen. Chambers' recent comments comparing local police officers to "his ISIS...." and that he would shoot a police officer and ask questions later, are absolutely the most offensive statement I have ever heard made by a public official. Law enforcement officers put their life on the line every day to protect all of us. Both the officers and their families deserve our utmost respect, appreciation and support. They also deserve an apology from Chambers."

Nebraska state Sen. Ernie Chambers told fellow lawmakers on the floor Wednesday afternoon that he wouldn't apologize for statements he made during a debate over a gun bill last Friday.

Video: Neb. senator under fire for comparing police to ISIS

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"I will continue to condemn the police when they are wrong and, in my community they are always wrong," Chambers said.

The initial comments came during a hearing on an amendment to a concealed carry law that would allow off-duty officers to bring concealed weapons onto school property.

"My ISIS is the police," Chambers said.

Listen to audio provided by KFOR

KFOR radio talk show host Coby Mach broadcast some of Chamber's comments on his show. The ones that were getting the most attention refer to Chambers saying that young people don't need to go overseas and join ISIS to fight injustice, and if he had a gun it would be for police.

"If I was gonna carry a weapon, it wouldn't be against you, it wouldn't be against these people who come here that I might have a dispute with, mine would be for the police," Chambers said. "And if I carried a gun, I'd want to shoot him first and then ask questions later like they say the cop ought to do."

"To hear a message that it's OK to shoot a police officer, to me, just seems inappropriate," Mach said.

"First of all, I didn't say I would use a gun on police," Chambers said.

Chambers said that many people haven't heard the full context of what he was saying. He said he was referring to how he and people in his community don't trust police. Chambers pointed to a recent case where an officer shot and killed an unarmed man in the back who had his hands on the hood of a car. The grand jury didn't file any charges against the officer, but the officer later resigned.

"These police (officers) literally get away with murder," Chambers said. "They've been given carte blanche. County Attorney Don Kleine even (said) if a cop is wrong, if he thinks he's right, it's all right."

Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Les Selier, said during the hearing that he didn't see anything that warranted stopping Chambers and censuring him then, but he would have to review the transcript.

Meanwhile, at least one senator and the city of Omaha is calling for Chambers to be held accountable.

"I think Sen. Chambers owes those who wear a uniform in law enforcement an apology. And I believe he owes an apology to every member of our armed forces who's in harm's way to defend our country," Sen. Beau McCoy said.

"Chambers is saying that he would do that, he wants to do that. I mean, it's a terroristic threat," President of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police John Francavilla said. "It's a very hurtful statement that he made towards us, when he's comparing us to what most Americans see as the most radical group out there. Him saying that most law enforcement officers fall into that category in his eyes."

"It makes you angry. For lack of a better word, it's ridiculous," said Officer Anthony Conner, of the Omaha Police Officer's Association.

While the Omaha Police Union considers Chambers' testimony disgusting, they said it won't stop their effort to connect with the people they protect.

"I think as long as were doing what's right and standing on the side of what's right we will be OK," Conner said.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued the following statement Wednesday:

"The comments that Sen. Ernie Chambers made today at the Nebraska Unicameral are not only reprehensible but are completely without merit. The comments are unbecoming of a state senator and have brought no value to the discussion of police community relations. I stand with my Omaha Police officers as they are hardworking dedicated professionals."

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert issued the following statement Wednesday:

"Sen. Chambers attack on police officers shows total disregard for public safety. Why would any elected official state if he had a gun he would shoot a police officer. The Senator should be looking for way to improve public safety, not comparing police officers to terrorists. He owes an apology not only to Omaha Police Officers but to every citizen of Omaha."

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson issued the following statement Wednesday:

"Sen. Chambers' recent comments comparing local police officers to "his ISIS...." and that he would shoot a police officer and ask questions later, are absolutely the most offensive statement I have ever heard made by a public official. Law enforcement officers put their life on the line every day to protect all of us. Both the officers and their families deserve our utmost respect, appreciation and support. They also deserve an apology from Chambers."