The following is a release from Sen. Cyrus Habib:
State Sen. Cyrus Habib, a Democrat running for Lieutenant Governor, has announced that, if elected, he would use his authority as the Senate’s presiding officer to establish new rules and seek changes in state laws to restrict firearms in the State Capitol.
Last year the now retiring Lt. Gov. Brad Owen used his authority as President of the Senate to ban open carry from the Senate gallery, the open area above the Senate floor. Habib, an attorney and law professor who would become the state’s first visually impaired Lt. Governor, calls this an important first step, but pointed out that
the threat to the public is even greater from concealed weapons.
“Every day, hundreds of Washington school children visit the Capitol campus to learn about the history of their state, meet with their legislators, and observe the democratic process,” Habib said. “We must make the capitol a safe, welcoming environment for visitors of all ages, Washingtonians who take time to testify and participate in legislation, high school students who serve as legislative pages, and the staff who deserve a safe place to work every day. The President of the Senate has a responsibility to ensure that the Senate chamber and gallery are safe, and, as Lt. Governor, I would do my part to protect us from the threat of tragedies like those we’ve seen around the country by taking steps to make those areas gun-free.”
In addition to securing the Senate chamber and gallery, Habib would also seek legislation to restrict the presence of firearms in the Capitol’s Legislative Building, where the Governor’s office and the House of Representatives are also located.
“I will convene leaders from both parties, the House and the Senate, and the press corps to discuss how we can secure the building without added burdens on those who work on the Capitol campus. Nearly every other state legislature in the country restricts firearms in the building, as do city halls, county courthouses and federal buildings throughout our state; we can certainly strike the right balance to keep the public safe when visiting our state Capitol.”
Habib will be asking legislators from both parties for their input and their support to enact these reforms in the January legislative session.
