Almost two months after the insurrection against Congress in Washington D.C., Missouri lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill that would tighten security at the state capitol in Jefferson City.
House Bill 784 would authorize leaders of the Missouri house and senate to appoint marshals to serve and protect each legislative chamber in the general assembly.
The appointed marshals would have the authority to serve papers, carry a concealed firearm and make arrests under state law or a rule of the legislative chamber they serve.
Representative Lane Roberts sponsored the bill. He’s a republican from Jasper County.
“This service would be police officers. They would all of the authority of any police officer. They would be required to have a license and maintain that license. They would have to have 5 years of experience and they would work at the direction of the speaker and the senate pro-temp.”
Supporters of the bill say appointing marshals would relieve other local law enforcement agencies of the responsibility to maintain the security of the House and the Senate.
