Courts and checking your weapon

[Jay7376]

At my court I have to go through the metal detector, however, since I am in uniform, it does not matter that it goes nuts as I pass.

When I go through out of uniform I just show my badge and have not problems. A while ago the security insisted on swiping the wand thingy around us after we set of the metal detector. Lord knows why they would do that, I am permitted to carry a weapon into the court, why use the wand?

Fortunately there has not been any talk about prohibiting us from carrying inside the court.

[Granite]

Sbrad- I guess its just a county thing in Georgia. Fulton county sucks, to put it nicely. I go to state court alot and it bothers me to check my weapon. I sure wish they would change their ways around here. You would think after an incident like we had last year that it would have them rethinking things but I guess not.
Its interesting to hear the different rules nationwide about carrying in court. I was never in any trouble when I lived up north soo I dont know what MA and NH policy is. I would imajine thats where I will end up is back home in the next few years.

[Valor55]

You would think after an incident like we had last year that it would have them rethinking things but I guess not.

Well that was the gun's fault so allowing more guns in the courthouse will mean more shootings. Duh! :rolleyes:

[Deputy757]

I work for a county agency in KY. I've never had a problem carrying in any state court. Federal..well, that's another story as has been mentioned already. Therefore, I don't go to federal court. :D

[BP348]

Federal Court - No
State Court - Depends on which judge.

I'm in South Texas.

[davidh304]

Orange County Florida, we carry all our gear into court when in uniform or if in plain clothes we have to check out a special ID badge.

We have had numerous fights with out local mental health drop off points. By Statute we have to drop off the mentally ill (Baker Acts...people that want to kill themselves but aren't medically ill and aren't going to the hospital) at these places.

They want us to secure our weapons before entering. Mind you there is NO sally port and the staff are not trained leo's/corrections. We've had quite a few problems.

"You need to fill out paperwork to drop off your guy."

"Ok, open the door"

"You can't come in with your weapons."

"I am not leaving my weapons. Why don't you come out and take the guy inside and I'll do the paperwork in my car."

"We can't do that, you're supposed to leave your weapons. Who is your Sgt?"

"Oh, I'll give you my Sgt's name, and if you think I'm difficult just WAIT until you talk to her."

Sgt gets a call from me for the ole Heads Up. Sgt gets a call from the Mental Heath people. Lieutenant gets involved. Mental Health Supervisor gets called at home at 4 in the morning and woken in up.

Time passes.


Sarge calls back.


"If they don't bring out the paperwork in five minutes leave the person on the bench in front of their door and leave."


Yeah I'm going into a building full of looney people with out my grear to rely on some minimum age social worker to provide for my security and safety? HELL NO

[decuervo]

I'll tell you on the 17th. I got a subpoena because some lady thinks causing a traffic accident by improper lane usage isn't a valid charge. Sure, not making a right hand turn from as close as possible to the right hand curb line is fine as long as another vehicle doesn't get between you and the actual turn lane. Crazy broad. It states right there in the TEXAS PENAL CODE "Ignorance of the law is NO defense to prosecution". And yet these people keep breeding. ~sigh~
Just tase me.

[Group9]

I'm federal and my experience has been that it depends completely on where you are. The most absurd one was in Broward County courthouse where they ask federal agents which office they are assigned to. If you say Fort Lauderdale, they let you carry it in, if you say Miami or somewhere else, they make you check it. I only said I worked in Miami, once. :D

There is a legitimate purpose to it, especially in populous areas, for plainclothes officers, in my opinion. Court security can't possibly know who are police and who are not and should be able to assume anyone with a weapon, who is not them, is a problem.

I can see absolutely no reason for any court to not allow uniform officers to carry their sidearms.

But, nothing hurt my feelings like the time the Secret Service agents came and made all of us on the range at Quantico bench our weapons while Marine One flew over, and made all of the other agents and trainees walk through metal detectors to see his address.

[jobon]

Something has been bothering me for a while now about going to court and having to give your firearm up. I am a city cop so the only court I can keep my firearm on me in is City court. Any other Grand Jury, Juvenile, Magistrate, or any State court for that matter and you have to put your firearm in a locker when you enter the building near the securtiy desk.
I live in Georgia and as alot of you know there was an incident last year where a judge,clerk, and county deputy were killed at state court. Days later the escaped prisoner who was armed with a deputies weapon killed a federal agent. Now if all the officers in the building had weapons on them, deaths very well may have been prevented. The issue for my post isnt to monday morning quarter back something that happened but nothing has been done about officers surrendering their weapons when they go to court.
In these state courts the only armed people are the sheriffs deputies for that county. Even the county police and state officers have to lock their weapons up. It makes absolutely no sense at all. Why should I ride in an elevator with a bunch of perps when I have no weapon. I have spoken to several officers who carry 2nd weapons and dont mention them to anyone when they lock their service weapon up, maybe the only answer for now is to do the same.
What I would like to know from each of you is the following.
1.What state are you in?
2. Are you city, county, state, or federal?
3. In what courts can you carry your firearm?
4. If you have to lock your firearm up in a court, who in that court is allowed to carry?
5. Whats your opinion on an officer being forced to give their firearm up when attending court?

The only time I check mine is when I am in processing with a prisoner.