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?
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?