Arrest of armed man inside the state Capitol sparks debate over adding security measures

MADISON – State leaders are at odds over whether to add security measures at the Wisconsin State Capitol after a Madison man visited the statehouse twice in one day demanding to see the governor, first carrying a handgun and later returning with an assault-style rifle.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Friday the state’s Capitol should not be locked down, arguing such rules would restrict the public’s access to government. But GOP Senate President Chris Kapenga also said Friday he is considering adding safety measures to the chamber he oversees.

Wisconsin’s Capitol building is one of the most accessible statehouses in the country, with a full-time police force based in the building but no metal detectors or requirements to show security badges to enter during work hours. It’s open to the public seven days a week.

On Wednesday, a 43-year-old Madison man who was wearing a holstered handgun and otherwise shirtless entered the Capitol on a day when hundreds of people were inside taking tours and testifying in a number of committee hearings scheduled that day. He walked to the governor’s office and demanded to see Evers and was arrested for illegally carrying his firearm, according to Capitol police.

Hours later, the man posted bail and returned that night with an assault-style rifle again demanding to see Evers. He’s now in “protective custody,” according to Capitol police.

Evers said Friday he doesn’t want to reduce the number of open entrances or add security screening.

“It'd be the last thing I'd want to do,” he told Wisconsin Watch.

"This is the people's house and we're going to do everything we can to not have that happen," Evers said. “Think about all those 4th graders that come here every year to learn about the great things that WI has done in the past and it's enshrined in this building”

“They do it in DC," he said of the U.S. Capitol. "I think it's creepy. And it would be triple creepy here."

Vos, rarely in agreement with Evers on policy, tweeted Friday he supported Evers’ position.

“Gov Evers is right in his take on this. The Capitol Police did their job and we should not restrict the ability of the public to access their elected officials and the State Capitol beyond what we do now,” Vos said.

But Kapenga said in an interview with WISN-TV he was considering security measures.

“It's a very credible threat," Kapenga said. "One of the officers said it's probably one of the most concerning things that he's seen."

It’s possible Kapenga could implement new rules that would not be in effect in the rest of the building.

Senate and Assembly leaders have control over security rules in their respective chambers and assigned rooms. Evers has control over much of the rest of the Capitol building.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Arrest of armed man in Capitol sparks debate over adding security