New weapons screening to start at MN Capitol Feb. 17
State officials are rolling out a new weapons-screening process for everyone entering the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, with implementation set to begin Monday, Feb. 17. At a preview event covered by FOX 9, authorities said the goal is to tighten security in the building while keeping it open and accessible to the public, staff and lobbyists. Details on the exact equipment, entrances affected and how firearms will be handled have not yet been fully disclosed, but the system will apply to visitors and employees alike. The change comes amid a marked rise in reported threats against public officials and the Capitol complex and follows earlier moves to add officers and a dedicated threats investigator. Capitol watchers and advocates are already debating online whether the state should go further with metal detectors and broader gun restrictions, especially given Minnesota’s relatively permissive Capitol carry rules compared with other states.
📌 Key Facts
- A new weapons-screening process will be implemented at the Minnesota State Capitol starting Monday, Feb. 17
- Capitol authorities say the measures aim to support public safety while preserving public access to the building
- FOX 9 attended a preview of the security setup; full procedural details are expected as implementation begins
📊 Relevant Data
Threats against Minnesota officials more than doubled in 2025 compared to previous years, contributing to the decision for enhanced security measures at the State Capitol.
Threats against Minnesota officials more than double in 2025 — MPR News
Nationally, threats against members of Congress, their families, and staff reached a record high of 14,938 in 2025, a 58% increase from 2024, highlighting the growing risks to public officials that may inform state-level security enhancements like those at the Minnesota Capitol.
Threats against Congress up nearly 58% last year, a new record — FOX 5 DC
In Minnesota, the overall firearm death rate was 8.9 per 100,000 in 2023, with Black Minnesotans, who comprise about 7% of the population, accounting for 57.8% of firearm homicide deaths, resulting in a disproportionately high per capita rate for this group.
New Six-Year Report Reveals Ongoing Toll of Lethal Gun Violence in Minnesota — Violence Policy Center
The Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security recommended weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol based on a 2026 security assessment, with the measure passing 4-2, indicating some division over its implementation to deter violence and intimidation.
Advisory committee recommends weapons screening at Minnesota State Capitol — Star Tribune
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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