It took just four words to turn this week’s Allen City Council meeting into an all-out screaming match.

“Shut up!” Allen resident Richard Bush shouted. “I’m talking!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Mayor Stephen Terrell called from the council’s risers.

“Don’t tell me to shut up!” someone shouted from the seats behind Bush.

“Let’s calm down, hold it.” Terrell said, smacking his ceremonial gavel. One loud bang silenced the council chamber. “Stop it, right now.”

The municipal mess started at the June 25 council meeting, when Bush and two other residents spoke in opposition to council member Lauren Doherty.

One big reason: Two weeks earlier, Doherty had voted against opening a large gun range near State Highway 121 and North Watters Road.

For some, the project would mean more development in a suburban town that they feel is changing too quickly. In defending her vote, Doherty also mentioned the ongoing debate about when and where guns are allowed in America.

For others, the gun range is an attraction that could further Allen’s big boom. Frisco has a high-end gun club just down the road. And Allen High School has a championship shooting team that needs a place to practice.

The council approved the measure on a 6-1 vote June 11.

“To my knowledge, this vote was cast without any polling,” Bush said at the meeting held two weeks later. “It’s not her place to vote on these issues based solely on her own beliefs or system of ideas.”

In a holster behind Bush’s back during that meeting was a handgun that he said he carries with him everywhere. A screenshot from the meeting, complete with the pistol, spread around social media.

“While it's completely legal, we all know the intention behind it — to intimidate and perhaps intimidate enough to get Lauren to second-guess her safety and potentially resign,” one Facebook pundit said.

Tuesday's confrontation

At Tuesday's meeting, droves showed up wearing lime green shirts in support of Doherty. Many of them signed up to speak during the usual comments portion of the meeting.

As per city policy, they signed up on small cards that were handed to the mayor before the meeting. One by one, Terrell called up those who had turned in cards.

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“It was, at the bare minimum, reckless,” Kyle Therrian said when it was his turn at the podium. “Weapons just don’t have a place in the political discourse of this country.”

“Councilwoman Doherty does represent many of us in Allen,” Deborah O’Reilly said. “To call for her resignation because she didn't vote the way you want her to vote is short-sighted and selfish.”

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“Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right,” said Sarah Mitchell, a local activist with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Allen is stronger when we are as one.”

Then, it was Bush’s turn.

“I seem to be the reason why all this hubbub is going on tonight,” he said. “To me, a gun is like an American Express card: You don’t leave home without it.

"I don’t carry a gun to intimidate anybody," he said, "and I really don’t believe that Lauren Doherty was intimidated by my carrying a gun in here.”

That line drew grumbles from the crowd behind him.

“Shut up!” Bush said, turning around as the comments grew louder. “I’m talking!”

'Not council business'

After Terrell’s gavel fell and the crowd quieted, the mayor continued to admonish the citizen speakers.

“I’ve listened to enough so far,” Terrell said. “I’ve never had this happen. In my 23 years of mayoring, this has never happened. You know? You can go ahead and finish, Mr. Bush, and I’m going to finish the cards, OK? But I’ve never called anybody down. This is ridiculous.”

"I was simply ..." Bush tried to interject, but Terrell raised his voice.

"This is not council business," the mayor said. "This is political actions in this room right now, and that is not what we're here to deal with, and that is not what these seven people are elected to do."

Bush wrapped up his comments before Terrell gave another stern admonishment to the audience, saying that the speakers had “taken up over an hour of the council’s valuable time up here.”

The mayor said that although he doesn’t agree with Doherty on every issue, he values her input on the council. He also said he would no longer accept citizen comments that are “political” in nature.

“I want to end this situation right now. I want to make it to where this is not a political chamber, this is a council chamber,” he said. “So, I mean, we’re here to talk on agenda items and things of concern to the citizens of Allen that have ...”

That line didn't sit well with the crowd, either.

"This is a concern of Allen," one resident said from his seat, as others raised their hands and their voices.

"Were you this upset when he asked for her resignation?" said another.

“I mean, people have asked all kinds of things,” Terrell said. “I can’t just say that’s not something they can do, but I’m asking them not to speak anymore for that situation either, just like I’m asking for everyone to call the truce right here. Let us get back to council business.”

Terrell then acknowledged one final speaker, who requested that a Texas Penal Code 30.06 or 30.07 sign be placed outside Allen City Hall to prohibit open carry. Discussion of such a policy has not yet been set for a future council agenda.

City becoming polarized?

Doherty, however, said she hopes the council will discuss adding the signs to City Hall. She also said she appreciates the citizens' comments as a chance to hear from all residents, but worries that Allen is becoming too divided.

“I’m excited to have the support from so many residents, but I am worried there is more to come,” she said. “I think what’s happening in our whole country is happening in Allen as well. There is polarization and fear and anger brewing and bubbling in all facets of our life.”