Daryl Metcalfe

A state representative from Philadelphia is asking for additional security measures after an allegedly hostile interaction with state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe last week.

In a letter sent Monday to the director of house safety and security, Rep. Chris Rabb, a Democrat who serves northwest Philadelphia, said a recent conversation with Metcalfe, R-12th, has him concerned about his ability to “safely function” in his role.

Rabb wrote that on April 11, following a heated meeting of the House State Government Committee, which Metcalfe leads, the two engaged in a conversation which Rabb termed “tense.”

The meeting addressed House Bill 722, which originally established an independent citizens commission to redraw political districts in the state. The bill was amended after a party-line vote to take the citizens committee and the governor out of the process.

Rabb wrote that at the end of the exchange, Metcalfe said “We’d have a very different conversation on the street.”

Rabb indicates this language is “commonly used as a threat of violence ... and being that it is widely rumored that Representative Metcalfe carries a firearm on him inside of the state capitol complex, I take that threat very seriously.”

Rabb wrote that because he must regularly interact with and sit next to Metcalfe, he wanted to make security leaders aware of the threat, “so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure my safety while in the capitol.”

On Wednesday, Metcalfe said the accusations in the letter are not true, and that Rabb has distorted the interaction.

“If anyone was out of order it was Rabb, who went on a profanity laced tirade,” he said. “If he was in public, I don’t believe he would have spoken in the disrespectful, profanity laced way he did.”

In an interview Wednesday, Rabb said the exchange was “unpleasant, but low key” and while there was no yelling or cursing directed at Metcalfe, he does use “colorful language” at times.

“What people don’t like is elected officials who pretend to be better than non-elected folks,” he said. “I readily admit that I use colorful language — I’m an adult. There is nothing wrong with colorful language ... but threats are a different thing.”

Metcalfe said Rabb confronted him after the meeting and was upset because of the outcome of the vote.

“It’s the same situation where you have a liberal Democrat upset they lost the vote ... upset they can’t get their way” he said. “And Rabb took it one step further and misrepresented the situation. ... When I heard he had written this letter, I was shocked that someone who was supposed to be a professional would promote such a ludicrous statement.”

Meanwhile, Rabb said security officials were receptive to his letter, and are reviewing the matter. He said while he awaits the next steps, more security will be added when the two interact, and a subsequent committee meeting proved uneventful.

“There’s not really much I have to say to him, generally,” Rabb said of Metcalfe. “I’m not interested in dealing with him, so I didn’t.”

Rabb said there was no way to know for sure if Metcalfe is carrying a firearm, as there are no restrictions at the capitol building disallowing the practice. This, he said, is what causes him the biggest concern. However, he said regardless of the concealed carry possibility, making threats is never acceptable.

“What happens if I win another argument with him and he doesn’t like it and he snaps?” he said. “He’s a loose cannon. ... I have no tolerance for bullies, whether they’re carrying a firearm or not.”

Metcalfe has had a contentious relationship with Democrats in the House.

In December, he was accused of making homophobic remarks after an outburst during a committee meeting. The comments came after Montgomery County Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th, touched Metcalfe’s shoulder during a House State Government committee meeting. Metcalfe responded by saying, “Look, I’m a heterosexual. I have a wife, I love my wife, I don’t like men — as you might. But stop touching me all the time.”

Metcalfe later said he had planned the comments, and had repeatedly asked Bradford to stop touching him during previous exchanges. He said the comments were intended to show that invading someone’s personal space is not acceptable, particularly after repeated requests not to do so.

Eagle Staff Writer Caleb Harshberger contributed to this report.