With less than two-thirds of state capitol buildings employing metal detectors, and about 20 statehouses specifically allowing guns inside, there are many security gaps that rioters could exploit.
Deadly siege on US Capitol Building reignites gun debate in Michigan
More than 50 police officers injured and five people were killed during riots
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Wednesday’s fatal riot in D.C. and a bomb threat in Lansing Thursday have lawmakers reexamining their stance and law enforcement on high alert.
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The building was closed for security reasons for the second time recently after a man now in custody made a false bomb threat, but not before incoming House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski could make it to work.
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“Do I go through the doors because I know the Michigan State Police are right on the other side? Do I turn and walk away? Do I run. It’s impossible to come to work when you are under that constant threat,” Lasinski said.
by Alan Stamm A partial gun-safety step for the state Capitol is adopted five days after a rampage at the U.S. Capitol stunned the world. The Michigan State Capitol Commission voted unanimously Monday to ban the open carry of firearms at the state Capitol . ahead of anticipated protests next week, The Detroit News reports from Lansing. The vote comes after years of consideration of a potential ban on gun possession in the Michigan Capitol, a debate that ratcheted up last spring during armed protests of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer s stay-home order. During an April 30 protest, dozens of people some of whom were armed went inside the Capitol, demanded entry to the House floor and stood with firearms in the Senate gallery above lawmakers while they were in session.
Republicans pushed election lies and armed protests, but say their rhetoric didn’t spur U.S. Capitol chaos
Updated on Jan 10, 2021;
Published on Jan 10, 2021
Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum | Getty Images) TNS
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The morning after the D.C. riot, Erik Nordman called his state senator, Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, with concerns about a letter Victory signed urging Congress to examine allegations of voter fraud.
Victory’s office got back to him, and a staff member left a voicemail saying only those who rioted in D.C. could be blamed for what took place.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer Signs Series of Critical Criminal Justice Reform Bills
Current Michigan Gov. and former Ford School faculty Gretchen Whitmer delivering a speech in 2015. Image via Flickr/user:FordSchool. (CCA-BY-2.0).
The wide-ranging set of bills impact everything from the availability of juvenile records to drug offender’s eligibility for federal benefits.
Earlier this week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of criminal justice bills, which restrict the public’s access to juvenile records while reforming the penal consequences of other offenses.
According to
The Detroit News¸ Gov. Whitmer said Monday’s round of legislation was inspired and based off research and collaboration with the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.