AZ Senate defers vote on building ban on guns

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The Arizona Senate has held off voting on legislation that would allow people to carry guns into public buildings where they’re currently banned.

Lawmakers on Tuesday adjourned without voting on a bill that would generally permit firearms to only be banned from government buildings where certain security measures are in place.

Those measures include armed law enforcement officers or armed security guards with metal detectors or X-ray machines. Signs and storage lockers would also be required.

No reason was given for skipping the vote.

If it passes, the bill would then go to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk. Brewer vetoed a similar bill last year.

Supporters say the bill would protect gun owners’ rights and allow them to defend themselves. Critics call the bill an unfunded mandate on local governments.