State legislative leaders plan new security upgrades to protect lawmakers in the wake of the Sept. 10 assassination of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk in Utah.
The measures include paying for security equipment and monitoring at individual lawmakers’ homes, if they want it.
“Due to the steady rise of political violence across the country, I have asked our House security team to look for ways to improve safety and add peace of mind for our legislators and their families,” House Speaker Steve Montenegro wrote in an email to all House members on Sept. 12.
The House will reimurse members for “security equipment expenses up to $500, professional installation of security equipment up to $200, and self-monitoring or 24/7 professional monitoring expenses up to $40/month,” the email states.
The fees would be reimubursed if installed only at a lawmaker’s “primary residence,” and lawmakers must contract directly with a vendor of their choice and the email mentions one by name, SimpliSafe. Lawmakers would be responsible for paying for continuing contracts for the security systems after they leave office, Montenegro told members.
Montenegro declined to comment for this article about any security measures.
Across the Capitol Mall, the Senate building will get metal detectors for the first time, according to Senate President Warren Petersen.
“I’ve beefed up our security,” Petersen said.
The Gilbert Republican added that the acquisition process has begun and the Senate is looking for vendors who could supply the equipment. He didn’t have a firm timeframe for when the metal detectors would be in place.
The state government complex at 1700 W. Washington includes the House and Senate buildings that were built in the late 1950s and the newer Executive Tower, where the governor has a ninth-floor office.
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Security officers and metal detectors on the first floor protect state officials in the tower, which also houses offices for several state agencies. The headquarters of the Capitol Police, a division run by the state Department of Public Safety, is next door.
House and Senate security rules were made by Republican leaders, since Republicans are now — and are typically — the dominant party in the Legislature.
The House already requires visitors who come into the lobby to pass through metal detectors, with items they’re carrying going through X-ray machines, before they can enter the inner sanctum of the chamber’s building. That includes the House floor, lawmaker offices and the galley, where the public can view proceedings live when the Legislature is in session.
The Senate has no metal detectors, but it does have an on-your-honor system requiring visitors to hand over their firearms while they’re in the building.
As a 2022 state Senate brief about the state’s concealed carry law says: “Firearms are prohibited in public buildings and events if the owner or sponsor requests that a person carrying a weapon place the weapon in storage.” A sign in the lobby warns gun owners of the rule, but in general, no one checks visitors or their property for weapons as they enter.
“It’s a good idea, but we can’t assume its perfect,” Democratic Sen. Mitzi Epstein said of the plan to add metal detectors. “I’m glad to hear President Petersen is in favor of gun control.”
Both chambers utilize both DPS officers and hired security officers for protection.
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House poised to boost security, Democratic leader says
Republican House Speaker Montenegro wouldn’t say whether the Kirk shooting will result in new House security rules. But Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, assistant Democratic leader, said Montenegro sent a statement to members saying something was going to change.
“He says he’s going to be increasing security but hasn’t provided details,” Gutierrez said. Democratic members had previously advocated for better security measures, she added.
“I’ve always appreciated the metal detectors in the House,” she said. She has some concerns about members escorting some visitors around the metal detectors.
While the House won’t talk about security, spokesperson Andrew Wilder said it’s always a priority.
“Since the beginning of the year we have implemented new measures to strengthen protections in and around the House building,” he said. “We will continue making adjustments needed to ensure the House remains a safe place for the public to engage with their elected representatives.”
The program to subsidize members’ home security expenses actually had been developed over the last several weeks, he said.
In 2023, the House and Senate spent $2.4 million to put up fencing around lawmakers’ parking areas, saying some members had been aggressively confronted as they walked to their vehicles. Critics of the move worried about how the fences cut off another point of personal access for the public to talk with lawmakers.
The X-ray machine for bags at the front door of the House was added in August, Wilder said. Before that, security officers searched visitors’ bags.
The House first set up metal detectors as part of a nearly half-million-dollar security upgrade authorized by Sen. David Gowan of Sierra Vista in 2016 when he was House speaker.
Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: GOP leaders to boost AZ Capitol security after Charlie Kirk slaying