The Ethics Committee in the Iowa House has dismissed a complaint against a Republican legislator over a comment he posted on Facebook. Representative Dean Fisher of Montour wrote in January that Republicans would prevail in election disputes because — in his words — “our side has the guns.” Representative Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs says to sanction Fisher would set a dangerous precedent.

The committee’s vote was unanimous, with all three Republicans and all three Democrats voting to dismiss the complaint against Fisher. One of the Democrats called Fisher’s words “regrettable” and “a shade past” the kind of integrity House of Representatives should exhibit, but she agreed Fisher had the First Amendment right to make the remarks. Fisher sent a written statement to the committee. He wrote there is nothing in House Rules or state law that polices speech. And Fisher says the complaint was filed by a former opponent for political reasons.