house Concurrent Resolution No.23

Reps. Manoogian, Anthony, Brixie, Tyrone Carter and Greig offered the following concurrent resolution:

A concurrent resolution to urge the Michigan State Capitol Commission to prohibit firearms in public areas of the state Capitol building and within the immediate vicinity of the building, with exemptions for legislative sergeants at arms and law enforcement officers, and to install security screening checkpoints at entrances of the state Capitol building.

Whereas, The Michigan State Capitol Commission, pursuant to the Michigan State Capitol Historic Site Act, 2013 PA 240, exercises control over the public areas of the state Capitol building and its grounds, including the rotunda and its galleries, the main corridors, the grand staircases, the ground floor entrances, and outdoor staircases; and

Whereas, The state Capitol building is a working government building. It houses the Senate and House chambers, Appropriations Committee rooms, and several legislative offices. Michigan legislators and staff regularly undertake the business of the state in the state Capitol building; and

Whereas, The state Capitol building is also the people's building. The state Capitol is open to school groups and individuals who explore the history of Michigan and its government and appreciate the structure itself. Hundreds of individuals may access the state Capitol building on any given day. Open access to the state Capitol allows Michigan citizens to learn our history, observe the legislative process, voice their opinions, and directly meet government representatives to address personal and professional needs; and

Whereas, It is important that legislators, staff, and the public are safe in the state Capitol building. Allowing individuals to carry firearms in the state Capitol building exposes state employees and citizens to unnecessary risk. The presence of firearms is meant to intimidate legislators, interrupt the democratic process, and block the ability of legislators to properly represent their constituents; and

Whereas, The Michigan State Capitol Commission does have authority to restrict firearms possession in the state Capitol building. The Supreme Court of the United States has affirmed, "Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited." In the Court’s opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that "nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on...laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings." Allowing citizens to bring firearms into the Michigan state Capitol building is not, therefore, a constitutional right; and

Whereas, Prohibiting firearms possession in the state Capitol building and in its immediate vicinity and installing security screening checkpoints for individuals and their personal property to enforce the prohibition will ensure legislators, staff, and Michigan residents remain safe while using the state Capitol building; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the Michigan State Capitol Commission to prohibit firearms in public areas of the state Capitol building and within the immediate vicinity of the building, as the Commission may determine, while exempting legislative sergeants at arms and law enforcement officers so that they may properly protect legislators and the public; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the Michigan State Capitol Commission to install security screening checkpoints for individuals and their personal property at entrances of the state Capitol building; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan State Capitol Commission.