Ted Nugent carried a concealed weapon into the Michigan Capitol building on Wednesday after Michigan State Police say a breakdown in the security screening process did not prevent him from doing so.
The Michigan Capitol Commission banned open carry of firearms in 2021 and put further limitations on concealed weapons in 2023, yet a Michigan State Police spokesperson is saying a weapons detection device at the Capitol entrance signaled a possible weapon, but “the trooper staffing the entry point did not see the alert until after Mr. Nugent left the screening area.”
“Upon completing his meeting, MSP personnel contacted Mr. Nugent and notified him of the weapons policy,” the MSP spokesperson said. “We are still evaluating how the weapons detection alert was missed and will be following up to ensure this does not happen again.”
The washed-up, pants-pooping rocker and sportsman showed up in Lansing to rail against the Michigan DNR rules on deer-baiting and other regulations he called “immoral” and “insane,” calling the agency officials “jackbooted thugs” and enemies of conservatism.
State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, said she alerted Michigan State Police to Nugent having a concealed weapon along with other House Democrats during the hearing, but they didn’t address the problem until after.
Pohutsky said she’s seeking clarity from the state police on what actually occurred since she said Col. James F. Grady II told her that the trooper was aware Nugent had a gun and made a discretionary call to allow him in.
MSP Col. James Grady, who is facing criticism from troopers, command officers and Republican lawmakers over a number of issues, is expected to testify July 1 before the House Oversight Committee, in connection with the committee’s investigation into MSP leadership.
