Update: 3:18 pm MST: The story has officially gone viral.
From the Idaho State Journal:
The posting has already received widespread attention, with DailyKos publishing an article on the Facebook posting. Many of the comments in response to the post have been highly critical of Giddings.
The Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Department of Public Safety were seen patrolling the area around the Holt Arena on Friday. Law enforcement officials said they received a number of calls regarding the Facebook post, with the callers saying it was a threat to the protestors.
Giddings told the Associated Press that she declined comment. However, she is expected to release a statement later today.
The Hill: Idaho state rep poses with student protesters: Should I show them my empty 30mm shell?
The Spokesman Review: Idaho GOP lawmaker criticized over social media post
Refinery 29: GOP State Representative Who Implied She Could Shoot Peaceful Protesters Is Running Unchallenged
Think Progress: Idaho Republican threatens to show peaceful young protesters heavy weaponry
Boise Weekly: Idaho Lawmaker Ponders, Via Facebook, Whether to Show Peaceful Protesters 'Empty 30mm Shell' in Her Truck
KTVB, Idaho Press, The Post Register and other outlets have picked up the Associated Press story.
Idaho State University students peacefully protesting our Republican convention. Do you think I should show these girls the empty 30mm shell I have in the truck?
Yup. Priscilla Giddings ID Representative 7A actually said that on her Facebook page about an hour ago. She is receiving quite a backlash, with five to ten comments coming in every minute. The overwhelming majority of the citizen sentiments express outrage.
A screen shot is below.
What do you think?
Here are some of the best comments from Facebook:
You're on a college campus, right? You COULD have used this as an opportunity to say to these young women "you know, I disagree and here is why....". But instead you stood there smiling with your arm around one, and then posted a snarky comment on FB the same day the world is reporting on another mass shooting in America. And people wonder why there is so little respect for the republican party. SMH
I hope I am misunderstanding something here ... A PEACEFUL. NON-VIOLENT demonstration and you think they need to see empty shells?! My first thought is what in the hell is wrong with you?!
And …
Rep. Giddings must feel pretty entitled to her position if she feels comfortable making these kind of comments. What a shame she runs unopposed. Everyone, please screenshot this post before she deletes it. Something tells me she only listens to constituents if they agree with her.
You have something very seriously wrong with you.
Responders continue:
What do you mean by this, Ms. Giddings? If, like Mr. Trump, you are 'joking' with this comment, please know that it sounds pretty threatening. Maybe you should retract, explain or just apologize and take it down.
Did you really just threaten students with gun violence for peacefully protesting, which is protected by the first amendment?