AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety is still trying to figure out how to install metal detectors at the Capitol while also allowing authorized Texans to bring guns into the building.
Members of the State Preservation Board say the purpose of metal detectors is to protect Texans as they visit or go to work at the Capitol.
Under the plan approved earlier this week, metal detectors will be installed at all the entrances to the State Capitol, but having the metal detectors posted at the doors still leaves unanswered an interesting question about security inside the State Capitol.
Permitted, concealed handguns are allowed in most public areas of the Texas Capitol, and it is a long walk from entrances to the House and Senate galleries, two areas of the Texas Capitol where -- traditionally -- guns have not been allowed.
So with metal detectors, how will Texans with one of those concealed hand-gun licenses (CHL’s) get into the rest of the Capitol?
One idea is to create a special line for those with a permit.
“One of my concerns is that (of) our CHL holders -- that is private information,” said Gov. Rick Perry after Tuesday’s decision.
Perry thinks that would effectively make private information public.
Retired Police Officer Mike Nellis said it's a question the state has to answer. He's been teaching a DPS authorized course on the state's concealed carry law since it was passed in 1995.
"Basically, it's OK for a CHL holder to go into these government buildings and they cannot prevent them from doing that. As long as they have their CHL license, they're good to go,” Nellis said.
While the questions continue, Texas isn't alone in allowing guns at the Capitol.
Last month, the Missouri Legislature struck down a provision which barred employees from bringing weapons in the Missouri state house.
