The halls of power on Beacon Hill aren't known for being particularly dangerous, but one conservative lawmaker wants to make sure any mortal threats to State House personnel can be put down with force of arms.
Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Webster) has proposed adding armed guards to the State House entrances to prevent a tragedy similar to mass shootings in Charleston, S.C. and Chattanooga, Tenn. In a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker, Fattman asks for armed public safety officers at all public entrances of the capitol.
"Although our public safety officers are highly trained and responsive, the only way to stop an armed assailant is with armed force. Thank you for your consideration," Fattman writes in the letter.
In a followup email to all House and Senate members and staff, Fattman's chief of staff Joe Zarrella reminded recipients to sign on to Fattman's request before the deadline Monday, July 27.
In June, a shooter killed nine people during an attack on the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and earlier this month, a gunman killed five service members at a two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn.
In an email to all lawmakers and legislative staff which included the formal letter to Baker attached, Fattman wrote that he applauds efforts by Baker and legislative leaders for trainings and resources aimed at keeping legislators and staff safe, but "it is not enough to counter an armed assailant in the immediate, should an event ever occur," the freshman senator wrote.
Read Fattman's letter:
Governor Baker:
The recent tragedies in Charleston and Chattanooga involving armed assailants entering public areas and murdering innocent people raise the question of how to deter such acts from happening in the future.
It is commendable that trainings have been conducted with State House employees and law enforcement officials on how to react to a situation involving an active shooter. Unfortunately, it is not enough to protect those who work in or visit the State House.
I ask you to consider a new approach to protect state employees and visitors by arming public safety officer’s at all public entrances to the State House.
Although our public safety officers are highly trained and responsive, the only way to stop an armed assailant is with armed force. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ryan C. Fattman
State SenatorWorcester & Norfolk District
