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WATCH: Michigan Capitol Commission votes unanimously to ban open carry of guns at Capitol

Michigan Capitol closed when electrical failure causes smoke
Posted at 12:30 PM, Jan 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-11 14:02:23-05

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Capitol Commission unanimously voted to ban the open carrying of guns at the state Capitol during a Monday afternoon meeting.

Debate over guns at the Capitol has been ongoing but received renewed attention after the riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

SEE MORE: Michigan State Capitol Commission to discuss open carry of guns

SEE MORE: Banning guns at Michigan Capitol could happen as early as this month

SEE MORE: Nessel: Our state Capitol is not safe

Watch:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the ban is "the right thing to do."

“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 said the ban is "not enough" to truly protect everyone at the state Capitol.

“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. 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.”