LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – As acts of political violence surge across the country, state lawmakers are pushing to stop people from carrying guns at the Capitol and two office buildings.

The Michigan Capitol Commission banned concealed carry at the Capitol in 2023 after banning open carry in 2021. The moves came after militia members openly carried rifles inside both chambers in 2020.

Legislation discussed in committee Thursday would codify the changes and create harsher penalties for those who violate them.

The proposed changes would prohibit anyone except legislators holding a CPL from carrying concealed items into the state Capitol building and surrounding House and Senate office buildings.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have gone back and forth on the bills. Sen. Sarah Anthony (Democrat of Lansing) and Sen. Jim Runestead (Republican of White Lake) fought over whether the bills were necessary.

“I think the thing we’re discussing today is how to avoid a tragedy in this building, and I hope we can count on your yes vote,” Senator Anthony said.

Senator Runestead responded: “The idea that a CPL holder allowed in this building would pose such a tremendous danger has never been demonstrated. So no, I will not support this bill.

Individuals who violate the proposed rules will be fined up to $500 and receive a six-month suspension of their CPL on the first offense. The third violation is a felony and could result in up to four years in prison, or a $5,000 fine and CPL revocation.

Shiawassee County gun owner Randy Hazel testified at Thursday’s committee meeting. He told lawmakers the legislation was unfair to responsible gun owners.

“It just bothers me that (lawmakers) are able to defend themselves if something goes wrong in the building, but I’m not able to defend myself,” Hazel said.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), said she just wanted to keep lawmakers and visitors to the capitol safe, and said this legislation would do just that.

“We put this (exemption for lawmakers) in place because we really want these bills to pass. If it were up to me, I would say we shouldn’t have guns in the Capitol at all,” Senator Polehanki admitted.

The bills passed out of committee and Senator Polehanki hopes to have them passed before the end of the year. However, Democrats are still deciding what legislation they want to pass before the end of the session and they lose control of the House in December.

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