Not holding a public hearing for a regulation change of this magnitude is simply unacceptable. This regulation change would affect the way a large number of people access their government, it cannot be addressed behind closed doors only.

The idea of limiting the lawful carry of firearms by private citizens while elected officials are provided with armed security is anathema to liberty. Government officials are not royalty, and should not be afforded rights or privileges denied to the people at large. Not everyone can afford bodyguards or convince the state police to provide armed security for their activities. This is a privilege enjoyed by government officials who simultaneously seek to remove the effective self-defense option that is accessible to most people.