Governor Tim Walz today issued an executive order implementing weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol. The implementation follows the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security (ACCAS) based on an independent security assessment commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
“Government cannot function effectively when elected officials fear for their safety. In the last year, Minnesota has seen horrific acts of political violence,” said Governor Walz. “This executive order will make the Capitol – the central seat of Minnesota’s state government – safer, ensuring the people’s house remains open, welcoming, and secure.”
“In Minnesota we have witnessed acts of gun violence and politically motivated attacks that have stoked fear and prompted questions of public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “As Chair of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security I know that weapons screening is common sense. I am proud of the work that this committee has done to protect the home of our democracy and ensure that every person who enters the State Capitol can do so without fear.”
Executive Order 26-02 follows recommendations from ACCAS based on suggested improvements outlined by the Axtell Group, a private security firm contracted by the Minnesota State Patrol to assess the security of four buildings on the capitol complex. The Axtell Group’s independent Capitol security assessment recommended a consistent weapons and hazardous materials screening model to keep dangerous items out of public spaces and keep the Capitol safe for employees, public officials, and visitors.
The Minnesota State Capitol hosts thousands of visitors annually and regularly accommodates large gatherings involving all three branches of government. Weapons screening will enable security personnel to detect and prevent the introduction of unlawful dangerous items into the Capitol, maintaining safety during high-activity periods. Screening will serve as a deterrent to those who may wish to bring illegal weapons into the Capitol to commit violence, intimidate people, or interfere with the orderly work of government.
Weapons screening is a standard, widely used safety practice in government buildings including most state capitol buildings across the country. The executive order requires the Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota State Patrol to implement weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol and have the necessary equipment and trained personnel in place by the beginning of the legislative session on February 17, 2026. The weapons screening protocols will be paid for with money from the Minnesota State Patrol’s general fund dollars.
The executive order is effective fifteen days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State. It will remain in effect until rescinded by proper authority or until the end of the 2026 legislative session.
