Carry in a government building?

[OneStory]

I can understand a prohibition against carrying a firearm in a courthouse. I don't agree but I understand.

Consolidating govt offices into one building makes sense to me as a money saving measure. What I don't like is that, mainly because there is a courthouse in the building, the entire premises is a no weapon zone.

Case in point:
When I moved to Covington, I got a letter in the mail instructing me to go to a govt office to enroll in one of their blackmail/thievery schemes. I called to find out exactly where they were and whether it is required that I go there in person. Of course they said I had to go there and that they were in the govt building.

When I arrived, I saw that the courthouse was in the same building, so I begrudgingly left my pistol in the truck while retaining my knife.

On to the metal detector and the "security guards"...

I don't know why I was shocked when I was told that I could not bring my knife into the building. Though I was already IN the building when stopped at the metal detector...

I told the guards that I was already uncomfortable leaving my pistol in my truck and wanted my knife with me for use as a tool and for possible self-protection. They said no joy.

I asked the guards, "who is going to protect me while I'm in the building without my gun and my knife?". They said that THEY would protect me. I looked them up and down, smiled with a slight chuckle and walked out.

When I got to my truck, I called the govt office I was "required" to visit "in person" and told them that, since I refused to waive my Constitutional rights, it was impossible for me to do business with the parish. To their credit, they admitted that I wasn't required to physically present myself at their office and we did our "business" remotely.

I know you shouldn't always judge a book by its cover but those "security guards" were no more able to protect me while I was across the building than I was able to protect them.

So...what say you? Is the prohibition against carrying in a courthouse, any/all govt offices, the entire building, or what? And, what's the deal with a knife?

Did I break the law or just some rule by entering the building with my knife?

 

[alto8345]

yep... i once had to bring my hook back to by vehicle. it was a small fishing hook that wraped around the bill of my cap.

 

[OneStory]

yep... i once had to bring my hook back to by vehicle. it was a small fishing hook that wraped around the bill of my cap.

Wow! And I thought I was put out!

 

[vern10mm]

What exactly was the building you went to.

 

[jmcrawf1]

The Courthouse in Covington is secured by STPSO deputies, not "security guards."

And what's this secret squirrel "business" you allude to but can't mention.

 

[Russo]

I called the govt office I was "required" to visit "in person" and told them that, since I refused to waive my Constitutional rights, it was impossible for me to do business with the parish.

pretty good answer.. "Sir, which Constitutional right were you asked to give up when you entered the building?" My reply, "The second one...."

 

[vern10mm]

The Courthouse in Covington is secured by STPSO deputies, not "security guards."

And what's this secret squirrel "business" you allude to but can't mention.

He would tell you, but then he would have to kill you.

Unless of course you were in a courthouse on the other side of a metal detector, then you would be protected from people like him by security guards.

 

[OneStory]

The Courthouse in Covington is secured by STPSO deputies, not "security guards."

And what's this secret squirrel "business" you allude to but can't mention.

No "secret squirrel" anything. I didn't mention it because I don't remember exactly ( ???homestead exemption, property tax???) and it doesn't matter to the rules of the building or to the thread.

...STPSO deputies performing security/guard duty at the Saint Tammany Parish Justice Center... Ok, that's more clear. Their situational awareness sucked and they weren't fit enough to catch a cold, IMO. If that's what other people count on for their protection, fine...not me. Just sayin'. ;-)

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. What I dont understand is how some of these courts force on-duty officers, acting on behalf of the state/parish/city in testifying to a crime that they have been involved in stopping/solving, to disarm themselves before entering the court room.

 

[OneStory]

I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. What I dont understand is how some of these courts force on-duty officers, acting on behalf of the state/parish/city in testifying to a crime that they have been involved in stopping/solving, to disarm themselves before entering the court room.

The bailiff will protect them...

 

[Tom Gresham]

>>I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. <<

Just to be clear, the police officers/deputies/security guards are civilians, also. Unless they are in the military, they are civilians.

Yeah, I know. The police like to talk about the public as "civilians" as a way to keep up the us vs. them mental games, but that doesn't change the facts.

 

[thorswhisper]

Id be interested in knowing what possible threat inside the Justice center you were concerned about. The only people carrying inside the building are LEO. They do have a weapons locker by the metal detectors, you perhaps could have checked your weapon and had them store it there until you left. I whole heartedly agree with your concerns for for leaving your weapon unattended in your vehicle. I also understand your frustration with having to disarm yourself. If you were in charge of the security there, how would you change things?

 

[OneStory]

>>I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. <<

Just to be clear, the police officers/deputies/security guards are civilians, also. Unless they are in the military, they are civilians.

Yeah, I know. The police like to talk about the public as "civilians" as a way to keep up the us vs. them mental games, but that doesn't change the facts.

Maybe we should start calling them "servants".

 

[vern10mm]

>>I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. <<

Just to be clear, the police officers/deputies/security guards are civilians, also. Unless they are in the military, they are civilians.

Yeah, I know. The police like to talk about the public as "civilians" as a way to keep up the us vs. them mental games, but that doesn't change the facts.

I think it has more to do with LEA being "para military", and thusly using much of the same vernacular, than it does with LEO's wanting to maintain a "us vs. them" mentality. Pretty sure most LEO would prefer if we were all on the same team since they are at great risk from it not being so. But hey, do not let that stop you from perpetuating the us vs. them mental games with your subtle comments.

 

[jmcrawf1]

>>I can understand why civilians arent allowed to carry inside of a courthouse. Majority of the time, its going to be for something negative, and can have great emotional stress involved. <<

Just to be clear, the police officers/deputies/security guards are civilians, also. Unless they are in the military, they are civilians.

Yeah, I know. The police like to talk about the public as "civilians" as a way to keep up the us vs. them mental games, but that doesn't change the facts.

I'm sure alpinehyperlite was perpetuating a mental game with his comments

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I dont know what you guys are talking about. Im a frickin jedi master! I dont use words, i use mind control!

Seriously dude, its a word. There is a different status between on duty LEO and "citizens" in weapons carrying laws/policys. There I put some little quote symbols around the word citizens.... Does that make you feel better?

 

[vern10mm]

I dont know what you guys are talking about. Im a frickin jedi master! I dont use words, i use mind control!

Seriously dude, its a word. There is a different status between on duty LEO and "citizens" in weapons carrying laws/policys. There I put some little quote symbols around the word citizens.... Does that make you feel better?

You might want to check your tone sir, your speaking to a gun expert who has written books and stuff and is on the radio.

 

[OneStory]

Id be interested in knowing what possible threat inside the Justice center you were concerned about. The only people carrying inside the building are LEO. They do have a weapons locker by the metal detectors, you perhaps could have checked your weapon and had them store it there until you left. I whole heartedly agree with your concerns for for leaving your weapon unattended in your vehicle. I also understand your frustration with having to disarm yourself. If you were in charge of the security there, how would you change things?

It doesn't sound like you were kidding when you asked about possible threats inside the building. It's a naive question, IMO. I'm not knocking you asking the question - because it's a legitimate question. It's just that it doesn't take much participation on this forum or reading of news reports to wise up to the possibilities.

My security plan - the Constitution of the United States of America.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

So he is special? Oh soooo sorry. I'd hate to offend a radio host/author.

 

[Vsotok10]

a courthouse is like an airplane, everyone is disarmed and we are all safe