Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

 Monday requiring weapons and hazardous materials screening at the Minnesota Capitol for the 2026 legislative session. 

The order comes after an independent Capitol security assessment and The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security 

 weapons screening on Capitol grounds. The proposal on permanent security upgrades could come up for debate in the session that starts on Feb. 17.

The change will subject people coming into the building to enhanced screening. However, state law protects the ability of people with valid gun carry permits to have firearms inside the building.

, a former House speaker, and her husband, Mark, as well as the shootings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as the reason for increased scrutiny of Capitol security. 

Last fall, the Minnesota State Patrol reported that threats against Minnesota elected officials more than 

 between 2024 and 2025, from 19 to 50 by September of 2025.

“Government cannot function effectively when elected officials fear for their safety. In the last year, Minnesota has seen horrific acts of political violence,” Walz said in a press release.

“This executive order will make the Capitol — the central seat of Minnesota’s state government — safer, ensuring the people’s house remains open, welcoming, and secure.”

The order will remain in effect “until rescinded by proper authority or until the end of the 2026 legislative session.” Weapons screening implementation will be funded by the Minnesota State Patrol’s general fund dollars, according to the governor’s office.

Also on Monday, Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion announced that the Senate would not only screen visitors to the Senate gallery but also would ban firearms and other weapons for the 2026 legislative session.

“Threats against public officials are disturbingly common, political violence is escalating across the country and the legislation we debate and vote on often carries heavy emotional weight,” Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, said in a press release.

“Restricting firearms from the Senate gallery is in line with legal precedent on sensitive places where constitutionally protected activities occur, including courthouses and schools.”

House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids applauded Walz’s executive order but urged his fellow lawmakers to go further. “This is personal for House DFLers. While we are pleased with today’s action, we will continue to advocate for a full ban on guns at the State Capitol,” he said in a statement.

The new security measures are set to be in place by Feb. 17, the start of this year’s legislative session.

Politics and Government News

NewsPartners

Homepage

Cait Kelley

Author

Gov. Tim Walz temporarily imposed new security screening measures at the Minnesota Capitol while lawmakers consider consultant recommendations.

A sign reads "Please enter through the doors on your left."

Gov. Tim Walz orders weapons screening at Minnesota Capitol ahead of upcoming session

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox