Senate Bills aim to ban concealed carry from Michigan Capitol buildings

LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) - Michigan lawmakers are working to prevent people from carrying weapons in the State Capitol, Senate and House buildings.

Four years after armed protestors surrounded and entered the State Capitol Building, new legislation is looking to take action. Senate Bills 857 and 858 would ban concealed carry within the Capitol, House and Senate buildings.

Bill sponsor Dayna Polehanki (D-5th State Senate District) says she still feels the effects of the 2020 protest. She says current political unrest refueled concerns.

“I obtained a bullet-proof vest, a helmet and other protective gear that I still keep underneath my desk on the Senate floor,” Polehanki said. “I will only feel safe removing this gear when a Michigan Capitol weapons ban has been codified into law.”

The bills would exempt senators and lawmakers who have a Concealed Pistol License from the ban, allowing them to conceal carry while at work. State Senator Ed McBroom (R-38th State Senate District) says he thinks the bills are hypocritical.

“I find the bill’s attempt to remove people’s rights to self-defense offensive,” McBroom said. “Particularly coming from those of us who have armed guards watching over us while we’re at work.”

During a hearing Thursday on the legislation, Polehanki said these bills would codify the 2023 Michigan State Capitol Commission decision to ban guns in the Capitol into State law.

“Why do we need a law?” Polehanki said. “The answer is because the membership of the Capitol Commission changes over time and is wholly dependent on who is governor. I would hate to see a future commission bring guns back into our building with a simple vote.”

McBroom says the Senate’s focus is misplaced.

“We have important needs across the State, including the U.P.,” McBroom said. “We need to get the Copperwood Project started on the west end of the U.P. We need to be pushing hard to get the Line 5 tunnel moving forward as quickly as possible.”

The bills have passed the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety and have been referred to the Senate Committee of the Whole.

This legislation is moving forward as the legislature is in a lame-duck session. Democrats have the House majority until January 1, 2025. It will then flip to the Republicans.