Michigan State Capitol to install weapon detection technology

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The Michigan State Capitol Constructing will quickly be implementing a lot tighter safety measures. The Michigan State Capitol Fee unanimously voted Friday to put in new know-how to detect weapons within the constructing.

The proposed safety measures embrace fewer entrances into the Capitol, new cameras and new “pass-through detectors.” These safety measures will go hand in hand with a coverage for “no weapons in any respect within the state capitol.”

William Kandler, the Chair of the Michigan State Capitol State Fee, clarified that the brand new know-how shouldn’t be metallic detectors however newer know-how that’s actually weapon detection.

“It’ll detect issues that aren’t even made out of metallic,” Kandler mentioned.

The vote held on Friday morning allowed the top of Capitol amenities to place out requests for brand spanking new safety programs within the Capitol, together with the brand new pass-through detector. In accordance with John Bollman, a member of the Michigan State Capitol Fee, the method includes each the know-how that will permit the identification of weapons and a coverage that will prohibit them.

The choice to reinforce safety was prompted by the occasion in 2020 when armed protestors stormed the state capitol, combating COVID restrictions.

“After we had that open carry day and now we have all these folks in right here with weapons lining up in entrance of the home chamber a row of state cops and a row of individuals carrying weapons going through off at one another,” Kandler recalled. “One little mistake may have set off a bloodbath, I feel. After which seeing issues all throughout the nation. It’s too unhealthy, I hate doing this, this constructing’s been broad open without end but it surely’s time, it’s the time we’re in. Now we have to guard folks.”

Kandler acknowledged that responses to the brand new safety measures could be combined, however he’s hopeful that individuals will perceive the need of those measures, particularly within the present social local weather.

“Even folks working right here, it’s going to be inconvenient as a result of it’s going to be much less doorways you’ll be able to go out and in of, it’s going to be inconvenient to come back out and in of the buildings at instances,” Kandler mentioned. “Hopefully, general folks will perceive they’re going to be extra secure whereas they’re on their jobs or visiting.”

He additionally mentioned that the official request will take two weeks for evaluate, after which the fee will be capable to order the gear. The modifications should not have an official begin date however are projected to be performed throughout the subsequent few months.

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