Lawmakers Try Again To Remove 'No Guns' Signs

Published: Friday, February 6, 2015 - 10:11am

People with permits to carry a weapon could bring them into any building they want under a measure being considered once again this year at the state capitol. 

Under current law, government agencies can prohibit weapons in public buildings by simply putting up a "no guns" sign and making storage lockers available. 

The measure being considered would bar governments from enforcing a "no guns" policy in any building that does not also have metal detectors and security guards at each entrance. Former Gov. Jan Brewer called that an unfunded mandate when she nixed similar laws each of the last two years. 

But John Wentling of the Arizona Citizens Defense League says there is no cost at all.  He says all that’s needed is to let those with concealed weapons permits carry them.

“If they're going to disarm people they need to disarm everybody, not just the people that comply with the signs. Everybody. Like they do in court. Like they do in other places,” Wentling said.

Lawmakers are also considering bills to block cities from requiring background checks for guns that change hands at gun shows, and to make it a felony to take a legally held weapon with the intent to use it to cause harm.