LANSING, MI – Rock legend and outspoken outdoorsman Ted Nugent made headlines after bringing a firearm into the Michigan State Capitol while testifying before lawmakers on hunting regulations.
The incident took place on June 25, 2025, as Nugent entered the building’s north entrance to address a joint House Committee on accountability within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. According to Michigan State Police (MSP), the Capitol’s weapons detection system flagged the firearm, but the trooper stationed at the checkpoint did not notice the alert until Nugent had already passed through security.
After completing his testimony, Nugent was informed by troopers about the Capitol’s firearm ban and “complied immediately,” MSP confirmed in a statement. The type of firearm Nugent carried has not been publicly disclosed.
Michigan prohibits both open and concealed carry in the Capitol for everyone except “only-ones” ~ lawmakers with concealed pistol licenses and on-duty law enforcement officers.
These bans were implemented in 2021 and 2023, following protests in which armed citizens entered the building.
The Michigan State Capitol Commission called the incident “rare but inexcusable” and has pledged to tighten security measures, including adding a second trooper at key entrances. Some Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration that Nugent was allowed to continue his visit after the firearm detection.
“The issue is not that Ted Nugent had a firearm in the Capitol, right? The issue is that the policy was not followed,” said Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), “Someone who should not have had a firearm in the Capitol had one, and that should not be permitted.”
For many Americans, however, the event reignites an ongoing debate about the right to self-defense in public buildings.
Critics of Michigan’s carry bans argue that if the state cannot provide full armed protection for visitors and staff, citizens should retain the ability to defend themselves. Nugent, a longtime advocate for Second Amendment rights, has not publicly commented on the matter.
MSP says they are reviewing the lapse and “evaluating procedures to ensure it does not happen again.”
The controversy highlights a broader tension between state-imposed firearm restrictions and the fundamental right of individuals to protect themselves—even in spaces where government security may fall short. The fact that “Uncle Ted” was able to breach the so-called security underscores why Michiganders—and all Americans—should be able to carry in these places.
What do you think about concealed or even open carry in public buildings?
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MI Court of Appeals Affirms Slap-Down of Ban on Open Carry as beyond Legal Authority
Good old Uncle Ted. I think it is a testament to how undangerous people with guns are because just like was mentioned in the article, We the People showed up with guns just like Uncle Ted and no one was shot.
No where in the 2nd does it have any exceptions to “shall not be infringed”.
Fear the government that fears your gun.
> These bans were implemented in 2021 and 2023, following protests in which armed citizens entered the building.
This is incorrect. The Democrats have long tried to ban firearms from the capitol but the Republicans wouldn’t allow it, citing hypocrisy among the many reasons (they can carry but their constituents cannot). When the Democrats regained control they finally got enough votes to ban guns. Armed citizens have been going into the Michigan capitol since at least 2008 if not decades earlier. 2008 was the first open carry in the capitol.
If guys like brother Nugent was armed in the Capitol, liberals forecasted a bloodbath! Yet he shot nobody.
Ya know it has always seemed stupid to me that people don’t allow fire arms in their buildings. In Michigan to get a CPL you have a background check done by the FBI, the Michigan State Police, and also the county Sheriff’s office. Now as I see it, people don’t trust the background checks done by local law enforcement, and the Feds, or they’re just really paranoid about anyone other than themselves having a weapon.
Nothing happened, and a few people want to exploit it.
Did you drive a car today? Look at how many times you had near-death experiences on that drive.