Six, not five, lawmakers targeted at MO Capitol

KANSAS CITY, Mo - Lawmakers now say there were six Missouri legislators targeted by threats this week, rather than just five.

The first five were Democratic senators, three of whom are from the Kansas City area.

The sixth is a Republican House member.

They had rifle targets stuck on their doors.

Lawmakers are concerned about their safety.

The governor doesn't want metal detectors used at the Capitol.

The security checkpoint in the downtown Jackson County courthouse is like many others in city halls, airports and schools.

But there's not one at Missouri's state Capitol.

State Senator Jolie Justus points out the Capitol has at least a dozen unmonitored entrances.

"We're taking it as a real threat," she said.

Justus is one of six lawmakers targeted this week.

Someone put stickers of a rifle crosshairs on their doors.

"The Capitol police and the state troopers have increased their presence in the Capitol, increased their patrols, and we're very appreciative of that," said Justus.

Governor Jay Nixon says he's against having metal detectors at the Capitol.

"Boy, oh, boy, if we start spending a bunch of money making everybody get wanded to come into their Capitol because a couple of people put stickers on the wall, where are we as a society?" said Nixon.

The governor is protected around the clock by armed troopers.

At least two troopers were in Nixon's entourage during a visit to Excelsior Springs three weeks ago.

Justus said, "I don't want it to seem like a police state when people show up, so I completely understand what the governor is saying. But at the same time, you're right. The governor does have increased security that the rest of the general public does not have."

Another Kansas City senator who was also targeted, Kiki Curls, tells me the incident is unsettling and that as a woman, she's somewhat frightened about what happened.

She also says she's disappointed in Nixon's comments.

Justus also says that while she and the other threatened lawmakers are back in district for public events, they have been offered security by both the Jackson County sheriff's department and KCMO police.

Lawmakers say there are no cameras in the Capitol's corridors outside lawmaker's offices, but there are cameras watching the governor's office.

Metal detectors were used at the Capitol after 9/11, but later dropped because of the cost.