On Friday, March 19th, the House Civil Rights & Judiciary committee convened for an executive session on senate bill 5038, which aims to prohibit the open carry of weapons at public demonstrations and state capitol grounds. These include weapons that can cause death or injury and are commonly used with the intent to kill or harm an individual. Exempt from the bill are law enforcement officers who are working at the scene, and anyone who owns or is leasing a private property within the vicinity. If the bill is enacted into law, violators may face gross misdemeanor charges and jail time for up to 364 days and a fine of up to $5,000.