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When the 2026 legislative session starts at the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday, new security measures will be in place.

 that weapons scanners be installed at all public entrances to the Capitol. Walz cited the shootings that killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette as the reason for his executive order.

Visitors can expect to enter at one of four public access points, said Col. Christina Bogojevic, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, the agency in charge of Capitol security. Each person will walk through a scanner, placing any bags on a conveyor belt to go through a separate scanner. Visitors should not need to empty pockets, take off their jackets or remove their shoes.

“For most visitors, this process will take just seconds. However, if an item cannot be immediately identified, additional screening by our Capitol security staff may be required,” Bogojevic said.

Visitors will not be allowed inside the Capitol while in possession of any 

 and security staff will not store any prohibited items for visitors, Bogojevic added.

Prohibited items include knives, explosives and illegal guns. Visitors legally carrying a gun must declare it and show their permit to carry.

Bogojevic said the screenings add an important layer of security and help her officers better do their job. 

“In the past, we wouldn't know if someone was carrying an illegal or a prohibited item if they hid it under a jacket. We wouldn't know that unless it was used,” she said. 

Bogojevic said weapons screening is a common security tool used in government buildings nationwide and a similar process has already been in place at the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Also new this year, Capitol doors will lock at 4:30 p.m. unless legislative business is continuing after hours.

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Cait Kelley

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The 2026 legislative session starts Tuesday with new security measures at the Minnesota Capitol. 

Here's what to expect from new security measures at the Minnesota State Capitol

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