It’s against Missouri law to wrestle a bear. If someone is caught wrestling one, the punishment is a class A misdemeanor.

Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Dixon, drew many laughs this week when he attempted to change the law to allow people to wrestle a bear if they are attacked by one. He said he’s had a close encounter with a bear.

“I knew deep down that the bear was afraid of me, and the bear knew that I could handle him,” said Hardwick. “But the bear, also being familiar with Missouri law, knew that I couldn’t fight back because of the law. And so, that was not an altercation I was able to to engage in.”

Rep. Chad Perkins, R-Bowling Green, brought the puns.

“My opinion of you gentlemen, might be the polar opposite, but it’s not necessarily black or brown,” said Perkins.

“That’s good,” said Hardwick.

“I know you’re a grizzly individual, but,” said Perkins.

“I didn’t shave this morning. That’s right. Those are all pretty solid jokes, for sure, but I just think that there’s a law. There’s clearly a loophole,” said Hardwick.

The House did not vote on the bill that Hardwick successfully added the change to.