AUSTIN -- New security measures have been approved at the State Capitol after a man fired a gun outside the building earlier this year. The measures include bomb-sniffing dogs and increased training, but not metal detectors -- at least for now.
January's gunshots at the Capitol triggered an increased look at security.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is recommending several changes to keep visitors, lawmakers and employees safer.
In a letter dated March 4, Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus gave DPS the go-ahead on some of its suggestions.
The trio is allowing DPS to use existing money to expand its bike patrol, purchase emergency medical equipment, hire explosives detectives with canines and have DPS Capitol security go through special training programs.
“Any visitor to the Capitol should be screened for weapons or bombs,” said Fred Burton, who is with the independent security firm Stratfor. He believes DPS should be allowed to install metal detectors at the Texas Capitol. “Folks don’t like to be inconvenienced. I’m sorry, it’s a fact of life.”
Metal detectors have already been installed at 23 other state capitol buildings, and it's still possible in Texas. Adding metal detectors at the main entrance and limiting access at secondary entrances remains under consideration, according for a spokesman for Dewhurst.
Dewhurst sits with the governor, the speaker of the house, two lawmakers and a member of the public on the state's preservation board. That board has the final say on any major structural changes to the Capitol."
The board is officially silent on the matter of metal detectors.
Governor Perry has voiced his opposition: "I'm always up for looking at new ways to protect our citizens, but the last thing I want is to turn our capitol into DFW airport,” he said in February.
According to court records, accused gunman Fausto Cardenas remains in the Travis County Correctional Complex on $250,000 bond.
On Thursday, the judge and attorneys assigned to his case will receive an update from the grand jury, which is considering an indictment against him.
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