Iowa House Democrats chose to leave the state Capitol on Wednesday morning after two gun bills were brought up for debate unexpectedly.

“[Tuesday] … [Minority House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines,] was given a list of bills for debate and the gun bills were not on them,” said Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Story.

Wessel-Kroeschell said that when the gun bills appeared for debate on Wednesday, the House Democrats did not have time to prepare for these “really big bills,” one of which is a proposed constitutional amendment for individuals rights to keep and bear arms.

The gun bills have been on what is called the “blue calendar” since Tuesday, meaning they were eligible for debate.

When the House Democrats left, the Iowa Legislature was brought to a standstill.

“Iowans sent us here to do their work, not walk away from our responsibilities,” said Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen in a statement.

Wessel-Kroeschell said that House Democrats “went off campus to caucus,” or discuss the details of the gun bills. “We were upset, but we went off campus to do our due diligence.”

The House Democrats returned to the Capitol at 4:15 p.m. and debates for 13 bills, including the gun bills, began soon after.

“I am pleased the House Democrats chose to come back to the Capitol and do the right thing on behalf of their constituents,” Paulsen said. “Iowans expect us to show up and do our jobs, I know House Republicans stand ready to do exactly that.”