Saying they fear for their safety while on the job, members of a South Dakota legislative committee have approved a bill allowing state lawmakers and other elected officials to carry guns in the Capitol and county courthouses. The House Local Government Committee voted 8-5 to endorse a bill that would allow all South Dakota elected officials to carry guns in the Capitol or county courthouses if they have concealed weapons permits. State law now allows only law enforcement officials and judges to carry guns in those public buildings. State Representative Tona Rozum of Mitchell voted against the measure…
She says the term “elected officials” is far reaching….
Lawmakers supporting the measure say they have been worried in recent years that they could be attacked in the Capitol building. But opponents of the measure say having armed legislators will not make the Capitol any safer.