By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Security at Missouri's State Capitol building was the topic of a meeting Wednesday by state law enforcement officials. It comes following a shooting this week at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver.
Missouri's capitol building, like Colorado's, does not have metal detectors.
But Public Safety Director Mark James says Capitol Police force and the State Highway Patrol have appropriate training to handle any threats inside the Capitol.
"The patrol recently provided tactical training for every member of the Capitol Police Force, so they are all trained with the same tactics," James said.
Still, that's not enough for some people who work inside the Capitol building, who say they'd feel safer if metal detectors were in use.
"I know that we do have security here in the building, they do walk the hall, I know that the entrances are pretty well guarded, and yet I think someone could probably slip a weapon in," said Betsy Branstetter, who works in the Capitol. "So, I am now questioning, absolutely, the safety of being here in this building."
Earlier this week, a man carried a gun inside the Colorado State capitol and threatened to take over the state government. He was shot and killed by law officers just outside the Colorado Governor's office.
James says there's currently no money for metal detectors, but he plans to ask for it next year.