Guns In Arenas?

Arizona venues could be in for some changes should a proposed gun measure take effect.

Senate Bill 1201 would allow registered gunholders to carry firearms into public buildings including courts, libraries, city council chambers and even concert venues – in some cases.

The measure would be enforced at facilities that are owned, operated by or receive funding from the state. However, during events that serve alcohol, venues could be exempt from the law as long as they have armed guards, metal detectors, gun lockers and signage prohibiting firearms.

An examination by the Arizona Republic found a lengthy list of venues that could fall under SB 1201 including Chase Field, US Airways Center, Comerica Theatre and Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion in Phoenix; and University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena and Mesa Arts Center in Glendale.

The law apparently wouldn’t affect private venues and school stadiums.

Sen. Ron Gould, who sponsored the bill, told the Republic the legislation wasn’t specifically intended to target arenas, but that if operators want to ensure there are no guns in their venues, they should install metal detectors or construct buildings using private funds.

“If they build their own stadium, they can do whatever they want to,” Gould said.

According to a legislative analysis, venues could face roughly $5,000 in installation costs for the aforementioned security features, in addition to salaries for armed security guards, the paper reported.

The law recently passed the state Senate. A vote by the House is forthcoming.