Gov. Walker administration assigns armed guards to DOJ offices

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker's administration plans to post armed security guards at the entrances to the state Department of Justice's Madison headquarters.

The guards will go on duty beginning Sept. 1. A guard has been stationed at a desk at the main lobby entrance but doesn't carry a weapon.

State Department of Administration spokesman Cullen Werwie says the move is part of what he called a "security upgrade" for the facility and isn't part of a response to any specific threat. Werwie declined further comment. DOJ spokeswoman Anne Schwartz didn't immediately return email messages.

The building also houses the Assembly chief clerk's office, the Legislative Technology Services Bureau and the state law library.