Chickenshit Tillis

From the Wilmington Star News editorial team.

The current state House speaker belongs to the political party that has been most aggressive in pushing for the right of anyone who hasn't been imprisoned or involuntarily committed to carry a gun proudly and openly. The national party even went so far as to OK handguns at its upcoming convention in Florida (but no water pistols, mind you).

And yet, Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, seems to feel threatened by the people he represents, to the point of needing armed guards to protect him and fellow Honorables at "town hall" meetings called to promote the Republican legislative agenda.

Tillis took great pains not only to ask for local law enforcement but to insist on beefed-up security including his own security detail, paid for with taxpayer dollars. They included two sergeants-at-arms and members of the General Assembly Special Police, whose powers apparently were broadened in a bill passed last year.