The Michigan State Capitol Commission earlier this week banned the open carry of firearms in Michigan’s Capitol.

Good move, but it didn’t go far enough.

The timing was right to do this. Most of us know what happened on Jan. 6 when an out-of-control mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in the deaths of five people and caused a great deal of destruction and mayhem.

The rioters — and we’re not calling them protesters, because that would be too generous and highly inaccurate — were angry over what they believed was an unfair presidential election outcome.

Joe Biden decisively beat incumbent Donald Trump, to their dismay.

They didn’t want to go away quietly, and they might not want to disappear into the mist in the upcoming days. That’s why the commission’s decision was fortuitous.

Moves to ban weapons at Michigan’s Capitol have been pushed since April, according to the Associated Press, when many individuals — some armed with long rifles and other weapons — entered the statehouse and demanded to be allowed on to the floor of a legislative chamber that was closed to the public.

Now the commission has changed its tune, appropriately, we believe.

Tensions are high that unrest may take place not only in Washington, D.C., but state capitals as well. The AP reported that the FBI has warned of plans for armed protests in the days leading up to the inauguration Jan. 20.

Here at The Mining Journal, we support the Second Amendment. We always have. Owning and using firearms is entirely appropriate. But there’s a place for everything.

The state capitol is not a place where guns should be, unless they are in the possession of police or similar personnel.

The commission should have banned all firearms from the capitol, but this is a good first step.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette