LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — In Lansing, both Republican and Democrat lawmakers are responding to word of the alleged plot against the governor with outrage. They say it is appalling and the way to take on elected officials you don’t like is at the ballot box.
However, they disagree on what should be done in response. Some say it is a reason to ban guns in the Capitol building.
Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Wayne County) reacted to the alleged plot to kidnap the governor by calling for action she has been calling for since April when armed gunmen marched into the Capitol to send the message they are upset with restrictions put in place in response to the pandemic.
Sen. Polehanki says she has kept a bulletproof vest under her desk since, in case she is concerned about someone observing the process. She says when she heard investigators say some of the people behind the plot discussed attacking in Lansing, she thought of people who have told her she is overreacting with her precautions.
“It is terrifying. It is disgusting and I hope it is a wakeup call for the Michigan Capitol Commission that has the ability to ban guns from this Capitol building,” said Sen. Polehanki.
Republican lawmakers had mixed reactions.
“I feel much more comfortable,” said Sen Dale Zorn (R-Monroe), of how he feels when he sees people carrying guns in the Capitol building.
“I am always willing to listen to any proposal. I do know that when I was running for this office I had two legitimate threats on my life that I had to have the police called to address those cases. So it can happen anywhere. It is not just here,” said Sen. Jim Runestad (R-Oakland County).
In the meantime, outside the Capitol people gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump. Some did so by exercising their Second Amendment rights.
WXYZ approached one gentleman and asked for his reaction to the talk about banning guns in the building in light of the plot against the governor.
“It is unfortunate. The people involved; I do know some of them,” said Jason Relyea.
He said he is shocked that he knows people accused in the plot. He says he believes guns should continue to be allowed in the Capitol building, and that militias should not be judged based on the alleged actions of the people charged.
“It does give us a bad name and we are out here to say we are not those people. We are here to protect your First and Second Amendment rights,” Relyea said.
