By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief

CONCORD – The House Rules committee today allowed Rep. Gene Chandler, R-Bartlett, to file a bill that would repeal the weapons ban now in place at the State House.

Earlier this month the committee blocked Chandler's bill, which he proposed after House deadlines had passed. At the time, a joint House-Senate committee that controls uses of state buildings was considering a second vote on the ban. Rules members said until that issue was settled, and the ban was still subject to being overturned, it would be premature to allow the introduction of the bill.

On Jan. 15, the Legislative Facilities Committee voted to keep the ban that it first imposed last month. The ban reinstates a policy that was in force for at least a decade, ending in 2006. It includes the Legislative Office Building, connecting tunnels and the historic Upham Walker House.

The ban was put in place in response to concerns to an outburst by a group of armed visitors during a House debate last March.

Chandler said, "I believe current House rules cover that situation." A House rules specifically bans weapons in places adjacent to Representatives Hall. Opponents of the new ban said the problem last spring was that the rule was not enforced.

Chandler said he has not finished drafting the language in his bill.

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