Just like they do every year, a contingent of county sheriffs met at Oklahoma’s state capitol building to meet with lawmakers and lobby for the things they need. Unlike before, however, they were asked to check in their sidearms after a senator complained Tuesday. So they left, according to Wagoner county sheriff Bob Colbert .

“Everybody in that building knew who we were,” Colbert told Tulsa ABC affiliate KTUL. He was asked to remove his weapon, as were the other sheriffs in the group.

“One of the senators, who they wouldn’t tell us, complained because we were armed in the building,” he said.

The choice came down to removing their weapons or removing themselves.

“So we all packed up and left,” he said, adding,. “We’re the people that protect these people.”

Some legislators have called to apologize, but the sting’s still present.

“If the state troopers are satisfied that we’re OK in that building, I’m pretty sure that the legislators should have something else to worry about such as the economy or something,” he said. “Pretty sad day for me.”

A totally different account of the incident was reported in “The Oklahoman,” a paper serving Oklahoma City, the state capital.

When the group of sheriffs entered the Senate gallery, “the sergeant at arms asked the sheriffs to take off their guns or leave the building,” the Oklahoman reported, confirming the KTUL report. But from there, “The Oklahoman” takes a wildly different turn, relying heavily on testimony from Senate staff.

“But a state Senate official says the sheriffs were only questioned briefly before being allowed back into the Senate gallery, still wearing their service weapons,” the report said.

Watch the video via KTUL, then check out “Air Force Academy cadets revolting over Bible passage removal.”

KTUL.com – Tulsa, Oklahoma – News, Weather