Visitors to the Michigan Capitol in Lansing can no longer open carry firearms into the building. The move comes in the wake of increased security at state capitol buildings after the Jan. 6 riot at the U. S. Capitol.
On Jan. 11, the Michigan Capitol Commission voted 6-0 in favor of banning open-carry firearms inside the building itself, though it opted to refrain from stricter measures. Open carry is still permitted on outside grounds, and those with a concealed pistol license can still carry inside the building.
The Michigan state capitol commission consists of the secretary of the senate, the clerk of the house of representatives, two individuals jointly appointed by the secretary of the senate and the clerk of the house, and two individuals appointed by the governor.
The state does not have the funding for tighter security at the Capitol, as reported by NPR. The ban on open carry firearms was put in place with the goal of providing protection against armed threats inside the building. The Michigan State Police will be enforcing this measure.
“The Michigan State Police will operationalize and enforce the decision made by the Capitol Commission to ban the open carry of firearms within the Capitol building,” the state police told The Collegian in a statement. “This policy will be enforced similar to all other policies at the Capitol. Someone who violates the ban on the open carry of weapons and refuses to leave the building can receive a civil infraction for trespassing.”
State Rep. Andrew Fink, a Republican representing Michigan’s 58th district, which includes Hillsdale, said decisions like banning open carry weapons should be left up to the legislature, not commissions.
“The Capitol commissioners have had a long, good-faith discussion about open-carrying firearms in the Capitol, but I believe this issue is for the legislature to decide within the limits of the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution,” Fink said. “I encourage everyone to respect our men and women in law enforcement who will be enforcing the commission’s decision until the legislature weighs in, at which time I will make sure the voices of the many people in my district who cherish their constitutional rights are heard.”
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey’s press secretary, Amber McCann, said Shirkey is “supportive” of the ban.