Will Michigan’s Capitol Pass Proposal For No Weapons Ban?

It doesn't matter who you ask when it comes to banning weapons from Michigan's Capitol, at least for now, guns continue to be allowed inside the building.

According to the Lansing State Journal, armed protesters entered the Capitol during a demonstration against Governor Gretchen Whitmer's coronavirus shutdowns in late April.

So now the question is, should they or should they not be allowed?

Commissioner Joan Bauer called for a total weapons ban, which would have allowed security, law enforcement and legislators to carry guns but prohibited armed members of the public from coming inside.

I think that when it comes down to the safety of everyone involved, weapons should not be allowed inside Michigan's Capitol.

Representatives from the commission will meet with Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the Hose Lee Chatfield to discuss their options for banning weapons in the building. (LSJ)

When you break all of this down, the April protest gained national attention after lawmakers said they felt intimidated by the armed protesters, especially those stationed in the galleries.

State Representative Sarah Anthony said "the presence of those weapons have not only created an environment of panic and anxiety for those of us who work here, but it also caused many of my colleagues to feel pressured to vote a certain way in order to protect ourselves from violence. (LSJ)

Anthony also said "I should not have to rely on community members in Lansing or obtain a bulletproof vest in order to show up for work and feel safe." (LSJ)