Jan Brewer Vetoes Bill Allowing Guns In Public Buildings

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed individuals to bring guns into some public buildings.

House Bill 2339, one of four pro-gun bills passed by the state legislature earlier this month, would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to bring their firearms into buildings that do not have security guards or metal detectors at the entrance. The bill would not have applied to schools.

In vetoing the bill, Brewer said the legislation would "establish an unfunded mandate on our state and local governments" by requiring agencies that want to keep guns out of their buildings to spend funds on guards and security equipment.

"I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, and I have signed into law numerous pieces of legislation to advance and protect gun rights,” Brewer wrote in her veto message, according to the Arizona Daily Star. "However, I cannot support this measure in its proposed form."

As The Republic notes, Brewer vetoed similar bills in 2011 and 2012.

The Republican governor also rejected HB 2517, which would have fined local government officials up to $5,000 for enacting gun restrictions exceeding state regulations. The offending officials would have also faced removal from office.

"A person or organization who perceives that an ordinance is illegal may already seek remedies through the legal system," Brewer wrote in her veto, calling the measure "unnecessary."