Bill to Prohibit Guns at State House Draws Fire

Of the 3 dozen people who attended the hearing, the only person to speak in favor of the measure was the its lone sponsor - Henniker Democrat Eleanor Kjellman……The Vietnam-era Air Force veteran told colleagues that her plan to restrict guns at the capital was inspired by three things: a threatening phone call from an Ed and Elaine Brown supporter; a wrathful outburst in the house gallery by a pro-life activist; and most decisively, by the mass shootings that took place last year at Virginia Tech………

"And I thought that no one ever knows when that kind of tragedy will happen, aor where it will happen. And sometimes afterwards people will say 'I had no Idea,' and sometimes they do have an idea, and say that they were just not proactive to take measure to prevent it, and I consider this bill a proactive measure."

The plans opponents had a decidedly different view.

"This is simply bad public policy."

John Evans is president of the NH firearms coalition.

"The gun free zone is just a murder and mayhem zone. You are taking away a citizens right to be armed and defend themselves when they are most vulnerable."

Evans basic line was echoed by representatives of most state gun rights groups. The measure’s critics also cited potential enforcement costs and argued that current policy -- which simply bars weapons in or near the house chamber -- is working fine. More basically, there was also the issue of who the law would most affect. Dan Eaton is a Democrat from Stoddard.

"You have a multitude of members who do carry weapons."

Precisely how many remains anyone’s guess…..But what is widely believed among those who do carry, and many of them have law enforcement experience, is that they serve as de facto back up to the four unarmed security guards and two state troopers who now patrol the statehouse.

"We’ve had people come to our committee, testifying on bills who we knew were armed."

That’s Republican John Tholl. He’s a retired state trooper and part-time Police chief for the town of Dalton.

"And I will tell you quite frankly that members of our committee have said many times we’re glad that some of the members are armed because it makes us fell a lot better when we are dealing with someone who is volatile or a little excited."

The scenario Tholl describes isn’t the norm in Concord, and probably isn’t typical anywhere else…. But according to those who track state capital security polices nationwide, NH’s approach is in line with about a third of all states. …Kae Warnock of the national conference of state legislatures says in most capitals polices have changed little since the since the 1970s. …More stringent approaches, she adds, typically come only when something bad happens.

"In the Colorado capital building, obviously, because of the recent shooting, weapons are not allowed and we have metal detectors at every door. The same thing in Illinois, and so so in cases like that you see it. Other than that most of the rules and laws have been on the books for a very long time."

And barring the unforeseen, few expect any changes here anytime soon. Deputy House speaker Linda Foster says current security is more than adequate. And any new policies -- particularly on the gun front -- would be politically difficult.

"Let’s face it, there is a very very strong tradition in NH of open government and of a strong gun rights lobby --and people truly adhere to that, they truly believe it. So, I just don’t think its time has come in NH, and I certainly hope it doesn't take something terrible, but I don’t think were there yet."

The ban on State House guns will is expected to a committee vote in the coming days. The full house must vote on the measure by March 20th.