St. Paul, Minn. – Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) said the Senate Rules Committee acted on two measures Friday to increase safety and security in both the Minnesota Senate Building and in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol.
Earlier this week, President Champion announced that the Senate would begin screening visitors to the Senate gallery and implementing a ban on firearms and dangerous weapons. The protocol is included as an attachment to this release. On Friday, the Rules Committee endorsed that action.
The Committee also approved a policy to ban firearms and dangerous weapons in the Minnesota Senate Building, except for people with a permit to carry a handgun. The Committee further enacted a measure to begin weapons screening in the Minnesota Senate Building. The Governor took similar action this week with an Executive Order to enact weapons screening in the State Capitol building and limit firearms possession to handguns for people with a permit to carry.
“Both of these policies will protect the safety and security of Senators, staff and the public who come to the Senate to observe our work in the chamber, in our hearing rooms, and in our offices,” said President Champion. “As we prepare for a new legislative session at the Capitol in the coming weeks, we know that threats against public officials carrying out their official duties have become disturbingly common. The actions of the Rules Committee today show that safety and security is a top priority. We look forward to a productive and respectful session with lots of robust debate that can be conducted with peace of mind for all involved.”
“Today, with these actions by the Senate Rules Committee, the Senate has prioritized the security of members, staff, the press, and the public in both the Capitol and the Minnesota Senate building,” said Majority Leader Murphy. “We have spent many months working to expand security so that everyone who comes to the Capitol can participate in the people’s house safely.”
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