House gives tentative OK to let guns in public buildings

PHOENIX (AP) - The House took steps to approve a firearms bill on Monday that former Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed three times while in office.

The proposal would allow holders of concealed-carry permits to take their weapons into some public buildings excluding bars, hospitals, high schools and universities.

Rep. Brenda Barton, R-Payson, said her bill obligates public establishments to take care of residents or let them care of themselves. “When you take away some of those rights, you are obligated to take care of your citizens and your residents,” Barton said.

House Bill 2320 would require operators of public establishments such as libraries to allow permit-holders to carry their firearms or establish security guards and metal detectors at the facility.

The bill received initial approval Monday, and it now awaits a formal vote.

Brewer vetoed similar legislation three times in four years. In 2014, Brewer cited concerns about the fiscal impact on state and local governments. She called the bill “an unnecessary diversion of limited resources.”

The Arizona Department of Administration estimates the additional security could cost between $9 million and $17 million annually for its buildings if it doesn’t allow permit-holders to carry firearms, according to legislative analysts.

Dale Wiebusch of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns estimated public establishments would pay about $140,000 per entrance for facilities to install a walkthrough metal detector and hire two armed security guards.

Rep. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, said the bill would remove the ability of local and state governments to make decisions to keep weapons out of their own facilities. “I just wanted people to understand that this has a huge price tag and the cities should be able to make this decision without interference,” she said.

The bill passed a vote along party lines in the House public safety committee in January. Republican representatives in support of the bill said criminals will bring guns into public places despite signs saying otherwise.

“A well-armed citizenry able to protect itself does not need to have government protect it,” said Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley.