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Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers' words have once again become the subject of controversy.

During legislative debate on a measure to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, a visibly frustrated Chambers explained why he'd watched much of the discussion from his downstairs office.

"If I was up here I'd probably pick these books up and start throwing them around," he said. "If I was a white guy, I'd go get my semiautomatic weapon and come down here and mow everybody down."

The comment startled many people who were following the debate online and drew quick responses from some of Chambers' fellow state senators.

"That’s not what we need to be talking about today," said Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion noted being called out by Speaker Galen Hadley for a column in which Kintner compared fellow lawmakers to monkeys.

"Where's the standard?" Kintner asked.

Hadley was presiding over the debate, but said Chambers' comment didn't register with him until another senator mentioned it.