MI Capitol Commission Bans Open Carry Of Guns At State Capitol

MICHIGAN — Civilians will not be able to openly carry firearms at the Michigan Capitol after the Michigan Capitol Commission on Monday voted unanimously to ban the open carry of firearms.

The commission voted 6-0 in ruling that "no person may carry a firearm in the public areas inside the Michigan State Capitol Building," excluding police officers and authorized personnel.

The commission's vote takes effect immediately but does not stop people from concealed carrying inside the Capitol.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was the focus of a large group of armed protesters in mid-2020, said the move was necessary due to "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," she said. "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," she continued. "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 House Democrats, who had urged the commission to ban all firearms before the 101st Legislature convenes on Wednesday, called the vote an "incremental step" toward providing safety.

“Banning open carry firearms is an incremental step, however it does not go far enough to ensure the safety of lawmakers doing the people’s work inside the Capitol, school kids, tour groups and others entering the building,” Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, said. “The commission’s vote today will continue to allow domestic terrorists access to Michigan’s Capitol. The nation is watching what’s happening in Michigan and wondering why there is complacency to the threat of violence.”

“Armed protesters used our state Capitol for a spring dress rehearsal for what went on in Washington, D.C. last week,” Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, said. “The ban on open carry firearms is long overdue and it is my hope we see further action."

“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," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement following the vote. "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.”

"This is NOT a “step in the right direction”; in fact, it creates the *illusion* that people will be safe inside our Capitol," Michigan Sen. Dayna Polehanki, who has been one of the more vocal Michigan lawmakers regarding the need for a gun ban at Michigan's capitol, said in a tweet referencing a post by Nessel prior to the vote that urged the commission to go further than banning just open carry.

"We are not safe until a total gun ban is enacted."

Some of those armed protesters were later connected to a plot by a group of people who called themselves the "Wolverines Watchmen" and who plotted to try and kidnap and potentially kill Michigan's governor, according to federal officials.

Read More: Hundreds Of Protesters, Some Armed, Stream Into Michigan Capitol

Those requests became more pressing in recent days, particularly because a number of supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday caused mayhem and riots when they breached the U.S. Capitol, overwhelming Capitol Police and forcing the evacuation of Congress.

At least five people died in Washington, D.C. Wednesday amid the riots and dozens have been arrested.

Polehanki recently said state lawmakers are "still under siege" when showing she had purchased items to defend and protect herself.