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LINCOLN — A top-ranking Nebraska legislative committee unanimously advanced a bill Wednesday to prohibit most weapons and self-defense items in the Nebraska State Capitol beginning next year.
The Executive Board, which oversees day-to-day operations of the legislative branch, voted 9-0 to advance an amended version of Legislative Bill 1237 to the full Legislature. The bill, sponsored by each of the committee members, would specify prohibited weapons and substances without prior approval, including firearms, pepper spray, explosives and spray paint.
A new committee amendment would allow Nebraskans with an active concealed carry permit, including the associated training, to still carry firearms in the Capitol after going through new metal detectors.
Violations of the new law, if passed, would be a Class III misdemeanor.
Capitol security bill weighs new safety measures vs. gun rights and self-protection
State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, committee chair, said part of the focus of the amendment is so the Nebraska State Patrol knows who is carrying in the Capitol. He said the State Patrol supported the proposed change.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, committee vice chair, described the amendment as a “good compromise” and said it was better to be proactive with a compromise now, rather than reactive.
State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln asked whether the State Patrol is open to nonlethal weapons, such as pepper spray. Hansen said the agency is and would be open to a future amendment if one is brought during floor debate.
At a public hearing for LB 1237, multiple gun-rights advocates, including former State Sen. Tom Brewer, opposed the bill. Some cited self-defense needs for the public to walk to the Capitol. Others talked about the risks of entering and leaving the building to reach parking.
Brewer ushered in a 2023 law to allow Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns without needing a permit. Six of the Exec Board’s nine voting members voted to pass Brewer’s law.
Brandon Metzler, clerk of the Nebraska Legislature, pointed to data from the Council of State Governments that at least 37 state capitols use metal detectors or security checkpoints, while 34 of state capitol buildings prohibit firearms.
State capitols in Kansas, Kentucky and Texas make exceptions that allow people with permits to carry firearms.
At one point before advancing the bill Wednesday, Hansen said lawmakers were trying to find a healthy balance with the public, lawmakers’ desires and what other states have done.
Hansen, Ibach and other senators noted increased political violence and apathy toward government nationally as a reason to act.
Ibach said Nebraska lawmakers needed to be proactive in light of the summer 2025 killing of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the “temperament” some folks are taking toward government and lawmakers nationally.
State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln noted Nebraska is “exceedingly” rare in how physically open its Capitol is to the public, adding he thinks other states are likely having similar conversations.
Hansen said he had gotten no pushback from other senators, describing that as “somewhat telling” that lawmakers needed to act.
State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha said he was open to a full firearms ban. Hansen said the amendment might not just be a compromise with some members of the public who opposed the bill, but also with other lawmakers. Ibach said it shows the committee listened.
Bostar said he felt the same as Fredrickson and that the full Legislature could decide to adopt or reject the committee amendment. Bostar and Fredrickson opposed Brewer’s 2023 bill.
The State Patrol would need to implement procedures to detect the listed prohibited items in the Capitol by Jan. 1, 2027. Committee members said that might mean restricting public entry to one or two of the current four entrances on each side of the building. Multiple senators said the south and east entrances might be limited to lawmakers and staff, along 16th and H Streets.
A fiscal analysis of the bill estimates costs of $1.57 million annually for two secured entrances, including 18 new positions. That’s compared to $944,000 for one entrance, with fewer security positions needed.
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