Jan Brewer Smacks Down Bill To Allow Guns In Arizona’s Public Buildings

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) vetoed two pro-gun bills Tuesday, including one that would have allowed guns in public buildings.

The vetoes keep with Brewer’s moderate streak that began with expanding Medicaid under Obamacare and continued with vetoing an anti-gay bill earlier this year.

One bill would allowed gun owners to bring weapons into public buildings or events. A summary of the bill says that it would allow gun owners to keep their firearms unless the building had security guards, metal detectors and storage for the weapons. Many Arizona public buildings do not have the first two, according to local reports.

“I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, and I have signed into law numerous pieces of legislation to advance and protect gun rights,” Brewer said in her veto statement. “However, I cannot support this measure in its proposed form.”

She expressed concern that the law amounted to an “unfunded mandate” for local governments if it forced them to hire guards or install metal detectors.

The other bill would have limited local governments from enacting gun control statutes that were stricter than state law and imposed a fine up to $5,000 on any local officials who administered such a statute, according to a summary. Those officials would also be at risk of losing their job.

“A person or an organization who perceives an ordinance is illegal already may seek remedies through the legal system,” Brewer said in her veto statement.