State Capitol security update, Austin Statesman 1-29-10

[A-R]

http://mo.statesman.com/news/texas/scan ... 01146.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scanners coming to Capitol?
During closed-door meeting, officials discuss possible checkpoints and more cameras.

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 12:08 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
Published: 10:29 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010

One week after a man opened fire with a pistol outside the Texas Capitol's south entrance, legislative leaders took a possible first step toward beefing up security at the storied landmark with checkpoints and more surveillance cameras.

The move came Thursday during a closed-door meeting at which top officials with the Department of Public Safety briefed key aides to Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state House Speaker Joe Straus, as well as other legislative leaders, about the Jan. 21 shooting and recommendations to enhance Capitol security.

Although officials declined to comment on the details of the recommendations, citing security concerns, participants confirmed that security checkpoints at Capitol entrances could be on the way.

One possible sticking point: how to allow Texans with concealed-weapons permits to get through security with their guns. Perry, Dewhurst and Straus probably will make the final decision.

If approved, enhanced security or controlled access to the statehouse would mark a historic change. Public entry at the Capitol has been open to all comers over the years — even though surveillance cameras and the presence of troopers in the halls have been beefed up since the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995 and the terrorist attacks in 2001.

Metal detectors and package scanners have been used temporarily several times in recent years at the entrances to public galleries of the legislative chambers during sessions and for a time during the second Gulf War. Driveways are staffed by troopers who check motorists, and steel bollards block vehicle access.

"We are examining a number of options for additional security at the Capitol and have not yet hit upon a final plan," said DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange. "We can't discuss Capitol security beyond that."

A Perry spokesman said the governor's comment last week about enhanced security still stands: "I'm always up for looking at new ways to protect our citizens, but the last thing I want is the Texas Capitol to turn into" Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

In a statement, Dewhurst said, "While we want to encourage people to visit the Texas Capitol, in a post-9/11 world and in light of last week's shooting incident, we need to seriously consider the DPS' enhanced security recommendations, including metal detectors, to help ensure everyone's safety."

Straus had no immediate comment.

"Everyone has the message now: We want to make the building secure, and we want to use common sense in doing that," said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston , who participated in Thursday's meeting. "We're not going to turn it into DFW airport."

In 2009, long before the shooting occurred, DPS officials who oversee Capitol security had ordered a security review by the U.S. Secret Service. The report is said to have recommended major increases in staffing and the installation of package scanners and metal detectors at entrances and added surveillance cameras.

In the week since the shooting, an increasing chorus of lawmakers has called for boosting Capitol security.

Fausto Cardenas, 24, most recently of Houston, remains jailed on a felony charge in the shooting. He had visited the office of Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston , just before the shooting. He unsuccessfully pressed to visit privately with a Patrick staffer, and left .

Earlier this week, Patrick — who holds a state concealed-handgun permit, along with a number of other Texas lawmakers — sent his colleagues a letter advocating increased Capitol security. "However ... I do not want to see those who have a legal right to carry a gun denied their constitutional right.

"Whatever new measures we may adopt, I would not want to stop law-abiding CHL holders from carrying their guns in the Capitol," he stated in the letter. "The goal is to stop those who bring illegal weapons into the Capitol, not those who have a legal right to do so."

Patrick proposed a system where credentials would be issued to Capitol employees, media and others who come to the Capitol regularly — after they pass a background check — "so they can come and go easily." A minimum-security entrance could also be designated for schools and other groups that do not need to undergo major screening. Everyone else would have to go through other entrances with metal detectors and package scanners.

Reached by phone Thursday, Patrick said Texans with concealed-handgun licenses might "put their gun in a tray, go through the detector, pick it up and go," or perhaps they could show their state-issued license and walk around security-screening devices.

Holders of concealed weapons permits must undergo training and pass a background check, among other things.

Why not make the Capitol a gun-free zone altogether, like schools and businesses?

"If you continue to restrict more and more places where CHL holders can carry their weapons, you're tearing away at the intent of the legislation that established this program," Patrick said.

mward@statesman.com; 445-1712

[A-R]

Stealing this from KD5NRH in another thread.

Here's how to contact Perry, Dewhurst, Strauss

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/em" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... joe.straus

If you prefer paper:

Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711

Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Strauss
7373 Broadway,
Suite 202-A
San Antonio, TX 78209

If you prefer phone:
Governor's Office citizens' opinion line:
(800) 252-9600

Lieutenant Governor's Office:
512 463-0001

Speaker' District Office:
(210) 828-4411

[WestTexan]

I would have thought the Capitol would be a government building and a gunfree zone anyway. My understanding from this says with a CHL, you can carry at the Capitol. Am I wrong on this?

[dicion]

I would have thought the Capitol would be a government building and a gunfree zone anyway. My understanding from this says with a CHL, you can carry at the Capitol. Am I wrong on this?

What do you base this on?

Federal property, yes, but the state capitol is state property, not the feds.

Therefore, by Texas law you are allowed to carry.
They can't even stop you with a 30.06 sign, or verbal notice!

[GeekwithaGun]

I would have thought the Capitol would be a government building and a gunfree zone anyway. My understanding from this says with a CHL, you can carry at the Capitol. Am I wrong on this?

Only applies to Federal Government buildings - State, County, Local are not prohibited places unless a court is held or in session, I don't have the book or statutes at hand.

and...IANAL

[PUCKER]

I just don't see that as being a good idea from a safety standpoint (putting their gun in a tray)...and it sort of defeats the CONCEALED part of CHL...I think I'm OK with the idea of showing the CHL (to a LEO) and walking around though.

(major snippage for brevity)
Reached by phone Thursday, Patrick said Texans with concealed-handgun licenses might "put their gun in a tray, go through the detector, pick it up and go," or perhaps they could show their state-issued license and walk around security-screening devices.

[O6nop]

I just don't see that as being a good idea from a safety standpoint (putting their gun in a tray)...and it sort of defeats the CONCEALED part of CHL...I think I'm OK with the idea of showing the CHL (to a LEO) and walking around though.

(major snippage for brevity)
Reached by phone Thursday, Patrick said Texans with concealed-handgun licenses might "put their gun in a tray, go through the detector, pick it up and go," or perhaps they could show their state-issued license and walk around security-screening devices.

Gun Safety Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Who knows where it will be pointing when it's handled into and out of the tray.

Also I still oppose the walking around idea.

[Kevinf2349]

If they put metal detectors in why not just have it so that a CHL holder flashes their CHL to a guard on one side and they press a floor switch (or something) to deactivate the metal detector alarm while the CHL holder goes through.

What amazes me though is how anyone thinks this could have helped with the recent shooting incident which actually took place outside the Capitol building.

[marksiwel]

If they put metal detectors in why not just have it so that a CHL holder flashes their CHL to a guard on one side and they press a floor switch (or something) to deactivate the metal detector alarm while the CHL holder goes through.

What amazes me though is how anyone thinks this could have helped with the recent shooting incident which actually took place outside the Capitol building.

Its just like "Airport Security" the illusion of safety.

[wheelgun1958]

How about a separate, staffed check room with lockers?

[RPB]

Oh no, bad guys will have to buy the Ceramic Glock that metal detectors can't detect.

I'll show my License to a LEO who is at the detector, and walk around. Not a problem. FBI do it, Treasury Dept plainclothes do it, off duty LEOs do it.... not a problem.

Unholstering, handling, putting in a tray for someone to grab, are much less safe options.

[marksiwel]

Oh no, bad guys will have to buy the Ceramic Glock that metal detectors can't detect.

I'll show my License to a LEO who is at the detector, and walk around. Not a problem. FBI do it, Treasury Dept plainclothes do it, off duty LEOs do it.... not a problem.

Unholstering, handling, putting in a tray for someone to grab, are much less safe options.

i gotta almost take off my Jeans to put a Browning Hi Power on, I dont want to do that at the Capital.

"Mommy, that man is taking off his pants and has a gun!"

[boomerang]

I'll show my License to a LEO who is at the detector, and walk around. Not a problem. FBI do it, Treasury Dept plainclothes do it, off duty LEOs do it.... not a problem.

[O6nop]

I'll show my License to a LEO who is at the detector, and walk around. Not a problem. FBI do it, Treasury Dept plainclothes do it, off duty LEOs do it.... not a problem.

Are we going to suggest non-chlers be subjected to inequalities when we complain when we are denied equality?
We need to let them know that the metal detectors are not an option. Does anyone think that they will do something sensible for CHLers if they put them back up? They'll do therir best to subject us to some sort of embarrasment.

[RPB]

I'll show my License to a LEO who is at the detector, and walk around. Not a problem. FBI do it, Treasury Dept plainclothes do it, off duty LEOs do it.... not a problem.

Are we going to suggest non-chlers be subjected to inequalities when we complain when we are denied equality?
We need to let them know that the metal detectors are not an option. Does anyone think that they will do something sensible for CHLers if they put them back up? They'll do therir best to subject us to some sort of embarrasment.

If they want a "pass" they too, can get a license. It would be their choice to be unlicensed, therefore have to go through the detectors. I have no intention of preventing them from getting licensed. It's their choice. A drivers license is a benefit you get if you want to drive a motor vehicle. It's their choice to get a driver's license and drive a car or not. If they want to walk around metal detectors and carry a concealed handgun, get a license. If they drive without a license, they assume that risk. If they try to carry a handgun past metal detectors unlicensed, they assume that risk. If they want a benefit, they can get it.

Texas Government Code - § 411.202. LICENSE A BENEFIT. The issuance of a license
under this subchapter is a benefit to the license holder for
purposes of those sections of the Penal Code to which the definition
of "benefit" under Section 1.07, Penal Code, applies.

Certainly you aren't suggestiing that unlicensed drivers be treated equally to licensed drivers? unequality? huh? They aren't "equal" ...some are licensed, some aren't ... it's their choice which group they choose to be in. The one group doing the work, taking tests, paying the fees and enjoying the benefits (of driving, carrying, being armed in the presence of metal detectors) or the group of ones who don't want to go through the effort take classes, take tests, or pay the cost to obtain that benefit.

Unlicensed teens certainly want to do what it takes to get that benefit, because they see how handy it is to have the benefit of a driver's license instead of dad driving them on dates. If they, the ones in line at metal detectors, see a benefit and want it, perhaps we'll have more CHL licensees soon, which could be a good thing come voting time.

However, they are absolutly equal, in that they have an equal opportunity to become a Concealed Handgun Licensee (or licensed driver) and enjoy any benefits conferred upon them as any other CHL (or licensed driver).... if they want it.