Minnesota GOP Lawmaker Involved In Montana Gun Incident

ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota House's leading Republican was detained by Montana authorities last September when a deal to buy an antique truck soured and a friend accompanying him displayed the lawmaker's gun.

That's according to just-surfacing court records and a statement issued Friday.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt was briefly placed in handcuffs, and his friend was arrested and charged with three felonies. Daudt kept the matter quiet until KSTP-TV first reported details Thursday night. Court papers say Daudt was arrested, too, but he disputes that characterization.

In a statement, Daudt casts himself as a peacemaker in a tense situation. He says the friend retrieved the gun without his knowledge and stressed it was not fired. Through a spokesman, he declined interview requests Friday.