When bad things happen to dumb lawmakers

Republican opposition to even modest regulation of firearms is well established, but this is truly ridiculous.

The [Arizona] House of Representatives voted Tuesday to let people carry weapons — including guns, grenades, rockets, mines and sawed-off shotguns — into schools, polling places and nuclear plants if they claim they’re only trying to protect themselves.

Surprise, surprise, the bill was championed by a Republican state lawmaker — Doug Quelland of Phoenix — who introduced the legislation and shepherded it through the House.

But wait; it gets better. Quelland now claims he was confused by his own bill.

[Quelland] said he had no idea the legislation, crafted by constituents he wouldn’t identify, was so broad that it would provide a catchall exemption in the state’s weapons laws.

Apparently, this lawmaker introduced legislation, convinced colleagues of its merits, voted for it, helped ensure it’s passage through his chamber and then read the bill.

It’s only a matter of time before he’s promoted to Congress, where his special talents will really be put to good use.