by Benjamin Yount
Wisconsin’s governor says he doesn’t want to see new security measures at the state capitol after an armed man entered the statehouse.
Gov. Tony Evers told reporters Friday he doesn’t want metal detectors and other shows of force to be installed at the statehouse.
“Think about all those fourth-graders that come here every year to learn about the great things that Wisconsin has done in the past and it’s enshrined in this building,” Evers said. “They do it in D.C. I think it’s creepy. And it would be triple creepy here.”
Capitol Police arrested a Madison man, identified as 43-year-old Joshua Pleasnick, Wednesday afternoon after he showed up at the governor’s office in the capitol shirtless and armed with a pistol in a holster. While it is legal to have a concealed pistol inside the state capitol, openly carrying a gun is not allowed.
Officers say Pleasnick demanded to see the governor and told them he would not leave until he spoke to the governor about domestic abuse towards men.
Police reports say Pleasnick bonded out of jail after his arrest and returned to the capitol later Wednesday night with a rifle.
He was arrested a second time.
Evers was not at the capitol Wednesday and was not hurt. He was told about Pleasnick’s arrest afterward.
There is a security desk inside the capitol where police officers sit, but there aren’t as many security measures as other states.
Wisconsin is one of 13 states that does not have metal detectors or x-ray machines at the capitol entrance.
Metal detectors were briefly added at the capitol during the height of the debate over Act 10 and recall in 2011 but were quickly removed.
Evers on Friday again said the State Capitol Police did an excellent job.
“I think the people that keep this place safe do the best job they can under circumstances,” Evers said.
The top Democrat in Wisconsin senate, Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, said she’d like to have a broader discussion about increased security of the capitol.
“We absolutely need to assess all security options to ensure that everyone in our Capitol is kept safe whether they are a legislator, staff, or visitor,” Agard said.
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Benjamin Yount is a contributor to The Center Square.
Photo “Tony Evers” by Tony Evers.
