(Source: MIRS.news, Published 03/21/2022) House staff members are prohibited from bringing weapons into the workplace according to policy update made by leadership, House Democratic Spokesperson Amber McCann told reporters during Tuesday’s afternoon session.
McCann said House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit)’s policy change, which includes all weapons and not just firearms, is not exclusive to one party, but does exclude representatives. It also does not apply to staffers hired to provide security, with a nod to House sergeants.
The policy within the House Business Offices' rules and procedures reads: “Staff are not to bring guns or other weapons to any property managed by the House or to the Capitol building.”
She said the policy has been in the works since Tate took office, and expressed that he believes it’s common sense.
He maintains that weapons do not belong in the workplace, she said, and that most people who go to work are under the impression that there isn’t a firearm concealed in their coworker’s office.
McCann said the Speaker’s office has not been made aware of similar plans in the Senate, but has been in contact with House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo).
After catching wind of the policy, Great Lakes Gun Rights Executive Director Brenden Boudreau issued a press release saying that the “reckless” policy change is a “dream come true for violent criminals.”
“Democrat legislators keep spouting that their gun control policies only go after criminals and won’t impact law-abiding citizens, but it simply isn’t true,” Boudreau said. “Speaker of the House Joe Tate is literally disarming his own staff in the 17th most violent city in America. This ridiculous policy will actively harm his own employees."
When asked if staffers could be made uncomfortable by the fact that the general public is still legally able to carry in the Capitol and House office buildings, McCann said the Speaker’s authority is over employees of the House.
However, she added that several pieces of legislation have been introduced to prohibit weapons in and around the Capitol, including Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos)’s HB 4149 and Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint)’s HB 4150, which would make all buildings owned or leased by the state weapons free zones.
The bills were referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where they await consideration.
