MICHIGAN STATE CAPITOL COMMISSION

LANSING, Mich. – Officials in Lansing are on high alert as new precautions are being taken ahead of expected protests Saturday and Sunday. After the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead, Michigan State Police raised the number of troopers patrolling Lansing. We just ask you do it safely and you respect our city, respect our state Capitol,” said Lansing Police chief Daryl Green. Militia group advises members to avoid protest at Michigan CapitolMichigan State Police are preparing for a protest expected Sunday at the state Capitol. A group that had planned to protest is now telling its members to avoid the Capitol.

LANSING, Mich. – Concerns at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing are on the rise amid chatter of widespread protests in the days leading up to President-Elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration on Jan. 20. Under the recommendation of Michigan State Police, a six-foot tall fence around the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing will be completed Friday to guard against the possibility of violence. On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission unanimously voted to ban the open carry of guns from inside the Michigan Capitol. Michigan State Police circled the Capitol Building in Lansing in large numbers -- on foot and on bikes -- ahead of the fence going up Friday. Additionally, Michigan’s State Capitol Commission voted to ban open carry of firearms at the Capitol on Monday.

The Michigan Capitol Building opened for the first time Wednesday. Democratic members of the Senate decried the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead. Newly ensconsed House Speaker Jason Wentworth said working to restore trust in politicians starts with adjusting the Lame Duck Sessions. Another House Bill proposed prohibits legislators from voting on a bill that would personally enrich them or their families. Additionally, Michigan’s State Capitol Commission voted to ban open carry of firearms at the Capitol on Monday.

“Michigan is ground zero for those who are wishing to take over state government,” said Michigan AG Dana Nessel. I’m exceedingly worried.’”On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission unanimously voted to ban the open carry of guns from inside the Michigan Capitol, effective immediately. Nessel said security inside the Michigan Capitol isn’t as impactful as she’d like. New Michigan Speaker of the House Jason Wentworth held a briefing Wednesday morning along side Speaker Pro Tempore Pamela Hornberger. Additionally, Michigan’s State Capitol Commission voted to ban open carry of firearms at the Capitol on Monday.

Monroe County's lawmakers mostly agree with the decision by commission to ban open carry weapons at the Michigan capitol. The Michigan State Capitol Commission on Monday vote 6-0 to prohibit open carry of firearms inside the state's Capitol building, effective immediately, according to the commission. Gretchen Whitmer, however, have been pushing for stricter firearms rules — reaching beyond banning open carry — from the Capitol building. The following are statements released by local and state lawmakers, along with the Michigan Attorney General, following the commission’s decision to ban open carry at the Michigan Capitol:STATE REP. JOSEPH BELLINO, R-MONROE“While this decision wasn’t debated or voted on, the Capitol Commission’s decision to ’Ban Open Carry’ was applauded by many people serving and working at the Capitol. The Capitol Commission’s action to ban open carry guns at the Capitol is a good start, but more action is needed.

LANSING, Mich. – The state of Michigan is planning to install a six-foot tall fence around the Capitol building due to the possibility of armed protests, Capitol Commissioner John Truscott said. On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission unanimously voted to ban the open carry of guns from inside the Michigan Capitol, effective immediately. The commission, which is responsible for overseeing the Capitol, voted 6-0 in favor of banning firearms from inside the Lansing Capitol building. “No lawmaker, reporter, staff member, or anyone who works in the Michigan Capitol should fear for their safety at work,” Whitmer said. 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.”

LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 07: Armed Trump supporters take part in a demonstration at the Michigan State Capitol building on November 07, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. I repeat-the Michigan Capitol is not safe,” Nessel’s tweet series concluded. After months of delay the Michigan State Capitol Commission finally put their authority to use and voted in favor of banning the open-carry of firearms inside the State Capitol. Those with concealed weapon permits are still allowed to carry firearms (concealed) into the State Capitol. The Michigan State Capitol Commission must take the next step and ban ALL firearms inside the State Capitol.

LANSING, MI - Monday’s new open carry ban in the Michigan Capitol landed with a thud among state lawmakers from both parties, albeit for different reasons. Read more: Open carry of firearms banned inside Michigan CapitolThose extra steps towards a total prohibition on guns inside the Capitol would come with about a $1.5 million price tag, according to police and Capitol Commissioners. The $1.5 million would pay for more metal detectors and other screening equipment, said Lt. Darren Green of the Michigan State Police Capitol post. If neither comes, security inside the Capitol building isn’t expected to change much, Green said. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, supported the ban, partially pushing the Capitol Commission to make the move.

DETROIT – On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission voted unanimously to ban the open carry of guns at the Lansing Capitol building. Details: Michigan commission votes to ban open carry of guns from Capitol buildingThat comes just days after the siege at the US Capitol and months since a group armed with assault rifles made its way inside the Michigan Capitol building. Democratic lawmakers had requested an outright ban of all guns from inside the Capitol building, including the concealed carry guns. The Michigan State Capitol Commission has not done enough to protect lawmakers, school kids, tour groups and others inside the state’s Capitol, House Democratic leaders said Monday. “The ban on open carry firearms is long overdue and it is my hope we see further action.”Read more

Gretchen Whitmer is calling for a ban on all weapons at the state Capitol, citing April’s armed protests in Lansing and the insurrection in Washington, D.C., last week. “No lawmaker, reporter, staff member, or anyone who works in the Michigan Capitol should fear for their safety at work,” Whitmer said. On Monday, the Michigan State Capitol Commission unanimously voted to ban the open carry of guns from inside the Michigan Capitol, effective immediately. The commission, which is responsible for overseeing the Capitol, voted 6-0 in favor of banning firearms from inside the Lansing Capitol building. 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.”

(Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images)The Michigan State Capitol Commission unanimously voted Monday to ban the open carry of guns from inside the Michigan Capitol, effective immediately. “After months of delay the Michigan State Capitol Commission finally put their authority to use and voted in favor of banning the open-carry of firearms inside the State Capitol. Those with concealed weapon permits are still allowed to carry firearms (concealed) into the State Capitol. The Michigan State Capitol Commission must take the next step and ban ALL firearms inside the State Capitol.”Gov. Today’s actions are simply not enough to do that.”Read more: Should guns be allowed in Michigan Capitol building?

In Michigan, concealed and open carry firearms are allowed in the Capitol, but signs have been banned since 2012 after right-to-work protesters came to the Capitol. The Michigan State Capitol Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the Capitol and ultimately for making a decision on the future of firearms, has pushed back on accepting the responsibility and its leadership maintains its role should be limited. Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) has released the following statement in advance of the Michigan Capitol Commission’s scheduled meeting Monday afternoon to discuss implementing a ban on the open carry of firearms in the Capitol Building:”Let me make this clear: The Capitol Commission’s proposal to ban open carry from the people’s building does not ban bullets. Polehanki posted this viral tweet from inside the Michigan Capitol building in April:Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Without a significant change in policy, lives will continue to be put at risk by domestic terrorists carrying weapons.”Read more: Should guns be allowed in Michigan Capitol building?

In Michigan, concealed and open carry firearms are allowed in the Capitol, but signs have been banned since 2012 after right-to-work protesters came to the Capitol. According to the Capitol Commission, tours alone bring in 115,000 people a year, not including those who work or visit to participate in the affairs of the Capitol. Incoming House Speaker Jason Wentworth hasn't moved far from his stance from November when he said he was looking forward to what the Capitol Commission would do. Rep. Sarah Anthony, a Lansing Democrat, has pleaded with the Capitol Commission to act to prevent possible violence. On Thursday, the morning after the events in the nation's Capital, state police say there was a bomb threat made to the state Capitol.

Gretchen Whitmer and attack the Michigan Capitol building prompted fresh calls to ban firearms from the Capitol — but Republican leaders and a state commission that oversees the building’s maintenance aren’t likely to make any immediate changes. That’s not the case in the U.S. Capitol and most other state Capitol buildings around the country. Both Nessel and independent counsel retained by the commission found the Capitol Commission has the authority to ban guns should they wish to do so. Gretchen Whitmer, start ‘civil war’Panel votes down Michigan Capitol gun ban proposals, but talks continueGun ban debate at Michigan Capitol to resume this weekMichigan Capitol Commission agrees it can ban guns, but stops short of doing soShould Michigan keep allowing guns in the Capitol? Committee to investigateGuns can be banned at Michigan Capitol, says AG Dana NesselCommission second-guesses AG Nessel, wants another opinion on authority to ban guns at Michigan Capitol

The Capitol is a place for free expression of thought and debate. But the freedom of civil discourse does not imply the right to threaten others with harm or violence, Michigan's attorney general said. LANSING Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to the Michigan State Capitol Commission confirming that the Commission has the legal authority to prohibit the presence of firearms in the state Capitol, if it chooses to do so. That authority is consistent with the current state of the law regarding firearms in public buildings and an informational letter sent to Speaker Chatfield in 2018. But the freedom of civil discourse does not imply the right to threaten others with harm or violence, Nessel said.

LANSING (CBS DETROIT) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to the Michigan State Capitol Commission confirming that the Commission has the legal authority to prohibit the presence of firearms in the state Capitol, if it chooses to do so. That authority is consistent with the current state of the law regarding firearms in public buildings and an informational letter sent to Speaker Chatfield in 2018. The concept of open carry in Michigan law does not provide the unfettered right to bring firearms into any public space, Nessel wrote in her letter. The Supreme Court also ruled that state law, which preempts regulations by local units of government, does not apply to school districts. Therefore, a non-local unit of government such as a school district, the Supreme Court or the Michigan State Capitol Commission may lawfully impose regulations that impact firearms.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) Guns cannot be banned from Michigans Capitol unless legislators change state law, an official who helps oversee the building said Wednesday, less than a week after some protesters armed with rifles shouted at lawmakers inside the Senate chamber. John Truscott, vice chairman of the Michigan State Capitol Commission, said he received early indications from the panels lawyer that we do not have jurisdictions to prohibit weapons in the building. It is not unusual see people with guns inside and outside the Capitol when there are pro-Second Amendment rallies. Firearms are prohibited at the U.S. Capitol building. Last September, Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Moss of Southfield introduced a bill that would end a ban on signs in the state Capitol building, noting people can carry guns inside.