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Statehouse to arm guards

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A legislative committee responsible for Statehouse facilities has approved a plan to arm the building’s guards.

The eight-person force will undergo firearms training this summer. 

The committee also approved limiting public access to the Statehouse to just two doors.

“It is somewhat ironic that we tell the public that anyone can walk in here with a gun, whether concealed or open carried, but we do not allow our own security force to be armed,” said House Minority Leader Steve Shurtleff. “And sadly we know the times are changing and that we need enhanced security in this building and the campus.” 

Opponents argue that a better approach would be to ban firearms from the Statehouse.  For security purposes, two auxiliary state police officers already offer armed protection.

“We bring our fourth graders in here, they come in, they sit down in that front lobby, they enjoy it. They come to the House chamber, they come to the Senate chamber. They don’t see people with guns on or anything of that nature,” said Sen. Lou D’Allesandro. “I think it’s New Hampshire saying we don’t need all of these things that are available everyplace else. We don’t need the metal detectors, we don’t need the guns. We believe in taking care of one another and we believe that you do it in the proper fashion.”  

Do you support arming the Statehouse guards?  Let us know in the comments.

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