Ilegitmate New Security Measues at The Capital

In January a man walked into the state capital with a firearm, then on his way out (for what ever reason) fired the gun into the air. Though thankfully no one was hurt, his actions were not without consequence. In response to this incident, new security measures were enacted. These new security measures are typical in nature. They involve the installation of metal detectors and x-ray machines on the buildings entrances.

You’re probably thinking “that’s good and all, fine, whatever, they saw a problem regarding public safety at the capital and took decisive action to address it.” Here’s the funny thing though, even with these new security measures in place it is still completely legal for a person entering the state capital to carry a concealed handgun ( if they are licensed) and also to openly carry long guns (like rifles and shotguns).

So now what has this new $3 million measure established? Well seeing how it is, that they enacted these new measures in response to the January incident, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. What has been accomplished though is let's just say ridiculous. I don’t need to explain how this measure does not make anything any safer at the capital, because it’s obvious that there are still plenty of opportunities for anyone who wishes to do harm, to accomplish their goals. But what I will say, is that the only practical things that have been accomplished by this are: causing a nuisance to everyone that has to go through these security measures, and offering people at the capital a general false sense of security.

But don’t you think the people who enacted these new measures know this? Well of course they do! They didn’t get to where they are by being stupid, they got to where they are by doing whatever they need to do to get there, no matter how stupid it is. Meaning, that the capitol building board members who voted in favor of these new security measures, did it because they felt they needed to do it not because they felt it needed to be done.

When asked to comment on his decision, Lieut. Gov. David Dewhurst -one of the board members who voted in favor of these new measures- said "I could not forgive myself if I am not doing everything I can to protect Texans when they come into the Capitol.” But if he had said the true reason for his decision, it would’ve sounded more like: “In this Post 9/11 world, I will lose my job if I didn’t make some gesture in response to this, especially if an incident were to happen again in future.”

Everyone -the lieutenant governor, the public, the media- knows that this is not what you would call “doing everything” in order to ensure public safety at the capital. Now I’m not advocating more security or anything like that. In fact, personally I am in complete disagreement with the enactment these new security measures, and think there is nothing that can be done to completely protect the capital building from someone who wishes to do it harm, for they will always find a way to do it. Though that is not to say, that I would be against the enactment of a legitimate security measure with a practically legitimate security benefit. Unfortunately, these measures do not fit the criteria.