Texas Capitol to get metal detectors
AUSTIN, TX
Perry, who serves on the board, opposed the measure, saying he
thinks the public can be protected without the machines and that
they could create a logjam of people trying to get in. He compared
it to long lines at airport security.
"The safety of our citizens is very important, but the other
side ... the access of our Capitol is about to be substantially
restricted," Perry said. "I think the public will be
disappointed."
At the start of the meeting, the board recognized several state
troopers who disarmed a man after he fired several shots outside
the Capitol in January. Then they went behind closed doors for more
than an hour to discuss the security plan put forth by the
Department of Public Safety.
Once they returned, Perry cast the lone dissenting vote.
More surveillance cameras in the Capitol and on the grounds with
a total cost of about $3 million were also included in the plan
passed by the board, which includes Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House
Speaker Joe Straus, Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, Sen. Tommy
Williams, R-The Woodlands and public member Charlotte Foster.
Dewhurst called the metal detectors and X-ray machines necessary to
help prevents acts of violence.
"I don't want it on my conscience that some innocent person
visiting the Capitol got hurt by a nut," Dewhurst said.
The plan would have the public use the north side entrance,
which includes a disabled-access entrance. Tour groups would be
sent to the south side. The east and west entrances would be used
by lawmakers, staff and other officials who would use an ID card.
Screening would be similar to airport security. Capitol visitors
would walk through the metal detectors and place any bags on the
X-ray machines.
"Times have change regrettably since 9-11. There are people out
there around the world who want to do Americans harm. The state
Capitol in Texas is the monument to the people in Texas," Dewhurst
said.
Dewhurst said if entrance lines back up, such as during
legislative sessions when thousands of people come to the Capitol
every day, officials can use all four entrances to get the public
into the building quickly.
"We don't want to see lines. We don't want to see people turned
away. My objective is to protect people so there's no diminish of
access to the state Capitol," Dewhurst said.
One concern is how to screen concealed handgun permit holders.
Permit holders are allowed to bring their weapons to the Capitol
and state law keeps information about who holds a permit
confidential. Dewhurst said he didn't want to make the Capitol a
gun-free zone like schools and some businesses.
The Texas Rifle Association did not immediately return a
telephone message Tuesday.