LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, the Michigan Capitol Commission voted to ban the open carry of firearms inside the Capitol building.
According to a report from WWMT, the results came in at a unanimous 6-0 vote. That follows a previous vote of 3-3 in September.
This vote also comes after armed protestors stormed the Michigan Capitol last April, as well as an armed insurrection at the United States Capitol last Wednesday.
Governor Whitmer released the following statement after the Michigan Capitol Commission voted:
“No lawmaker, reporter, staff member, or anyone who works in the Michigan Capitol should fear for their safety at work. But in the past year, we have seen a rapid rise in violent rhetoric and threats to public safety that require our immediate action. In April of 2020, armed protestors stormed the Michigan Capitol and stood in the gallery, long guns in hand, looking to intimidate legislators doing their job to serve the people of Michigan. And last week, we saw an armed insurgency occur in our nation’s capitol. This cannot stand. We must take immediate action to protect everyone who steps foot in our state Capitol.
The Capitol Commission’s action to ban open carry guns at the Capitol is a good start, but more action is needed. On a normal day, hundreds of people walk through the Capitol, including groups of fourth graders, teachers, and parents on school field trips to learn about state government. That’s why we must take action to ban all weapons at the Capitol to keep Michiganders safe. I am hopeful that the Capitol Commission will recognize the need for further action, and I stand ready to assist in implementing this policy to keep Michiganders safe.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel had been calling on the Commission to ban firearms in the Capitol after protests earlier in 2020, issuing a formal opinion that it had the ability to do so in May.
Following the protest in Washington D.C. last week, Nessel called on the Commission to vote in favor of the ban again.
She issued the following statement today after the vote passed, saying that the ban wouldn’t be enough:
“Though I appreciate the Commission’s decision today to prohibit the open carry of firearms, it’s only a single step down the long path of reforms that are necessary to make our legislators, state employees and visitors safe in our state Capitol,” Nessel said. “Firearms – whether explicitly visible or concealed by clothing – possess the same capability to inflict injury and harm on others and only banning open carry does little to meaningfully improve the safety and security of our Capitol. I urge the Commission or our Legislature to take the proper action and pass the necessary reforms that truly take into account the safety of those visiting and working in our Capitol. Today’s actions are simply not enough to do that.”
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