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Tim Pugmire
St.. Paul, Minn.

Minn. Capitol security panel revisits gun issue

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The issue of guns inside the Minnesota Capitol continues to divide a panel looking at public safety improvements.

The latest disagreement came today when the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security discussed tighter rules for people who carry their firearms inside the building.

Currently, a permit holder must make a onetime notification of intent to carry to the Department of Public Safety.

State Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, said more frequent notifications are needed.

"We handle some very volatile issues here, not just in this Capitol but other state buildings, Paymar said. "To not look at these issues is just an abdication of our responsibility, not just this task force but as members of the Legislature."

State Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, said permitted gun owners have not caused any problems at the Capitol, and stricter rules would raise constitutional issues.

"The bad guy and the bad girl are not going to abide by that. So once again, we're going to hinder the ones that are doing it right, and that's what we've got to be careful of constitutionally," Ingebrigtsen said.

Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, the panel's chairwoman, said Tuesday that she will propose a standardized form that gun owners would have to fill out prior to carrying a gun in the Capitol. It would be more precise than a current system of notification.

The Department of Public Safety has received verbal or written notice from more than 800 people about carrying a gun. But the agency doesn't always verify if a person has a valid gun permit.

The panel will deliver its Legislative recommendations in January.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.