Michigan legislators worried about maskless GOP lawmakers, lack of gun control at Capitol Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press
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LANSING Michigan’s 101st Legislature met for the first time Wednesday amid a stepped-up presence by Michigan State Police, but some lawmakers said it was hard to say whether they faced a greater danger from the lack of gun control inside the Capitol or the refusal of many lawmakers to wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
“They both are extremely dangerous they both are fatal,” said newly elected state Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, who said he joined several other lawmakers in choosing to sit in the public gallery, rather than on the House floor, because his seat is close to several Republican lawmakers who do not mask up.
Associated Press/Report for America
In this April 2020 file photo, armed members of a militia group watch the protest outside while waiting for the Michigan Senate to vote at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Michigan has banned the open carry of guns in the state Capitol a week after an armed mob rioted in the U.S. Capitol and following an attempt to storm the statehouse last year. (Nicole Hester/MLive.com/Ann Arbor News via AP File)
LANSING, Mich. (AP) A state panel Monday banned the open carry of guns in Michigan’s Capitol, a week after an armed mob rioted in the U.S. Capitol and following a plot last year to storm the statehouse.
ANNA LIZ NICHOLS
LANSING A state panel on Monday banned the open carry of guns in Michigan’s Capitol, a week after an armed mob rioted in the U.S. Capitol and following a plot last year to storm the statehouse.
Moves to ban weapons at the statehouse have been pushed since April, when protesters opposed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions, some armed with long rifles and other weapons, entered the Michigan Capitol demanding to be allowed onto the floor of a legislative chamber that was closed to the public.
The Michigan State Capitol Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the Capitol, had been reluctant to issue rules for firearms, but it shifted course Monday and issued the order to ban the open carrying of weapons.
Michigan Commission Bans Open Carry of Guns in State Capitol
The commission that manages the premises of the Michigan State Capitol adopted a policy Monday that bans open carry of guns in the building, although people with concealed-weapons permits may still bring firearms inside.
In a unanimous 6-0 vote, the Michigan Capitol Commission opted to impose the open carry ban, which goes into effect immediately. The commission argued against against adopting a full weapons ban inside the Capitol, saying its authority to do so is questionable and it lacks the budget for enforcement, which would likely require such measures as installing metal detectors at entrances, according to NPR.
Open Carry of Firearms Banned in Michigan Capitol Building
12 Jan 2021
The Michigan State Capitol Commission took unanimous action Monday to ban the open carry of firearms in the Capitol building in Lansing.
The
New York Timesnotes that Michigan is an open carry state, yet the ban means firearms cannot be openly carried in the Capitol.
The ban was supported by Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) but opposed by House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell), who does not believe the commission has the authority to enact the ban.
Concealed carry license holders will still be able to carry their firearms, concealed rather than open, and this drew the ire of State Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), who wanted all guns banned, period.