September 05, 2007 04:22 PM UTC

Metal Detectors to Stay at Capitol

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• by: Colorado Pols

As the Rocky Mountain News reports:

Visitors to Colorado’s Capitol would go through metal detectors as part of tightened security developed after a fatal shooting outside the governor’s office.

Until the July 16 shooting, the Capitol had been one of the state’s most open government buildings, with visitors free to wander all three floors and to come and go as they pleased.

Gov. Bill Ritter said Tuesday he will ask the legislature this month for $1.6 million of emergency funding for metal detectors, X-ray machines, additional state troopers and quick-card access devices. Capitol employees and elected officials would have to use the cards to enter outside doors on the first floor of the statehouse.

“We’re taking steps to reduce the likelihood a dangerous person can bring a weapon into the Capitol,” Ritter said.

Ritter directed the State Patrol to assess statehouse security after a man was shot to death outside the governor’s office…

We view this as an unfortunate development, but we’re not about to question the State Patrol’s assessment of security needs. Many states already have these measures in place as a matter of course. A poll follows.

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