The open carry of firearms is generally prohibited in certain buildings on the west state capitol campus, any buildings on the state capitol grounds, any state legislative offices, or any location of a public legislative hearing or meeting during the hearing or meeting. "Buildings on the state capitol grounds" means the following buildings located on the state capitol grounds, commonly known as: Legislative, Temple of Justice, John L. O'Brien, John A. Cherberg, Irving R. Newhouse, Joel M. Pritchard, Helen Sommers, Insurance, Governor's Mansion, Visitor Information Center, Carlyon House, Ayer House, General Administration, 1500 Jefferson, James M. Dolliver, Old Capitol, Capitol Court, State Archives, Natural Resources, Office Building #2, Highway-License, Transportation, Employment Security, Child Care Center, Union Avenue, Washington Street, Professional Arts, State Farm, and Powerhouse Buildings.
 
A violation of this prohibition is a gross misdemeanor.
 
Exceptions to the prohibition are provided for law enforcement personnel, for persons with valid concealed pistol licenses, and for members of the armed forces who carry a firearm or other weapon in the discharge of their official duty or traveling to or from official duty.

Color guard and honor guard are exempt from liability when carrying a firearm or other weapon on the capitol campus while actively participating in, walking to, and leaving organized memorial events.

PRO:  The bill makes a small change to the prohibition on open carry of firearms at the capitol campus.  It does not seem to be the intent of the Legislature to intentionally exclude military ceremonies to honor the deaths of service members.  This bill is limited in scope and will allow these military honors to continue on the capitol campus by providing an exception for the honor guard and color guard.  The bill does not fix all the problems that SB 5038 created, but it is a step in the right direction.

CON:  Further separating the rights of individual citizens versus members of law enforcement and the military negatively affects the civil relations between these groups and the general community.  If a citizen is not allowed to carry a firearm, then perhaps we should consider why that is and why military and police should be allowed to carry a firearm in certain circumstances.  While the deaths of uniformed service members should be honored and their families respected, an additional privilege that is not provided to the average citizen may not be the best way to honor uniformed service members and their families.

OTHER:  It is really important that we are able to have military ceremonies and military duties.  It seems like the exceptions for honor guards and color guards are already covered under official duties of color guards and honors guards that are military and police.  It might not be necessary to spend the energy on this bill if there are already exceptions in place, unless there actually needs to be an update.