LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - As acts of political violence pop up across the country, state lawmakers are pushing to prevent people from carrying weapons at the Capitol and two office buildings.

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

The legislation discussed during committee Thursday would codify the changes and create harsher punishments for those who violate it.

The proposed changes would bar everyone besides lawmakers with a CPL from concealed carry in the state Capitol building, and surrounding House and Senate Office Buildings.

Republican and Democrat lawmakers went back and forth on the bills. Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Sen. Jim Runestead (R-White Lake) dueled on whether the bills were necessary.

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

Sen. Runestead replied, “The idea that a CPL holder being permitted in this building is going to be this massive danger has never been shown. So, no I will not be supporting this bill.”

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

A gun owner from Shiawassee County, Randy Hazel testified during Thursday’s committee meeting. He told lawmakers that the legislation is unfair to responsible gun owners.

“It just bothers me that [lawmakers are] able to defend themselves if something goes south in the building, but I’m not okay to defend myself,” Hazel explained.

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

“We did put that [lawmaker exemption] in place because we actually want these bills to pass. If it were up to me and only up to me I would say we shouldn’t have guns in the Capitol at all,” Sen. Polehanki admitted.

The bills did pass out of committee, and Sen. Polehanki is hoping to get the bills passed before the end of the year. However, Democrats are still deciding what legislation they want to get passed before session is up and they lose control of the House in December.

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