One thing many don’t think about is the psychological consequences of such a thing:
After 9/11, the Austin city council turned their offices into their own little fortress, installing metal detectors and ceasing the longstanding practice of allowing constituents to go directly to councilmembers’ offices to talk to staff, the councilmember, etc.. The result was to make them much less accessible, more insular, and ultimately IMO more aloof and full of themselves. The physical infrastructure created to protect these “important people” more than the rest of us had an unintended side effect on officeholders and staff, creating an even more significant psychological distance from constituents than the physical one. The change dramatically altered the culture at city hall, very much for the worse as far as I’m concerned.
Indeed. One must wonder what makes them more important than the rest of us to warrant such measures? If it’s good enough for them, why not you and me? And if we went that route, what sort of world would we live in? And would it really solve anything or just amount to more psychological pain?
Even better: Maybe if legislators are concerned about security they should use some of their campaign funds to send themselves and their staff through the necessary training to get their concealed carry permits.
That’d probably do far more positive. However, I wouldn’t want to force anyone to do such a thing. If a staffer doesn’t want to do it, they shouldn’t be made to.
But for heaven’s sake, state officials shouldn’t let either fear or an overblown sense of self-importance spur security measures that degrade the fundamental culture of the institution. It’s important to protect legislators, but we hold elections every two years precisely to remind each of them that they’re replaceable. It’s not their capitol, it’s ours.
The key word is “self-importance”. If you believe you are that important that you need to work to preserve yourself, then work to enable measures that preserve yourself and enable the citizenry to do the same.
Stuff From Hsoi 
First, people of Austin — doesn’t this show you should vote them out….every incumbent in office when they did that should be voted out.
Second, haven’t we had enough criminals shooting their way through metal detectors to know that they aren’t going to solve a problem. That if someone is intend on doing harm, they’ll wait outside or find another place?
Third, Thanks for posting this. Reminds me that I need to contact my state Senator and Representative to voice my opinion about keeping the capital open.
Austin politics is interesting… but frankly it just tells me that one of these days I’m going to have to leave this city, for my sanity.
Yes, the metal detectors really won’t stop anyone bent on destruction. But it sure makes some people feel good about themselves. Some people like theater.