Republican Leaders Repeal Gun Ban in House Office Building
In a significant policy shift, the Republican leadership in the state House of Representatives has decided to allow employees to carry firearms within the House office building. This decision overturns a previous restriction that had been put in place during the last session under a Democratic majority, which had also seen the implementation of various gun control measures such as safe storage laws and enhanced background checks.
The previous regulation prevented staff from carrying guns, although legislators, law enforcement, and members of the public with concealed carry permits were exempt. Representative Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Township) expressed his support for the change, emphasizing that it allows House staff the same rights as any visitor to the building. “It wasn’t fair, it wasn’t right, and it was very much leaving them in a vulnerable situation,” Aragona explained to Michigan Public Radio. “Any of our staff members, if they want to be able to defend themselves, they want to go through the training, be licensed to carry, they are allowed to conceal it within the House office building at this point.”
Despite the policy reversal, both House office workers and visitors must still pass through metal detectors, though lawmakers have the option to bypass these security measures. Meanwhile, the decision has been met with criticism from the Democratic side. Jess Travers, spokesperson for the House Democratic caucus, has voiced concerns about the implications for safety. “Public safety has been and will continue to be a top priority for House Democrats,” Travers stated to Michigan Public Radio. “That will not change, no matter how much pandering Republicans do or how many political games they play.”
It is important to note that the change in the House office building policy does not extend to the state Capitol itself. The Capitol’s public areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Capitol Commission, which instituted a firearm ban in 2023. This ban, however, does not apply to lawmakers who possess concealed weapons permits, and metal detectors have been installed at the Capitol’s main entrance to enhance security.
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