Can they stop me in the county court house ?

[Cameramonkey]

Fun fact: That entrance was closed off when the building was the police headquarters because a wealthy individual didn't like seeing uniformed police coming and going from their offices' view of the building, complained to the city, and it remained closed for decades. Only recently has it been open to employees again, and that was due to staffing issues and construction.

Interesting. I just found it ironic back in the day that I had to disarm to renew my LTCH. (yes, I said it has been a few years)

 

[duanewade]

Makes me think about the Noble county annex. They used to have a gun buster sign on the door and it is gone and now they have just a "no knives" sign on the door. You still have to go through a metal detector but I'm wondering what would happen if I walk through it and the deputy were to wand me should I just lift my shirt and show them and mention the preemptive law? To the best of my knowledge there is no court or judge's office in that building that would make it an offense for carrying.


Edit
Need to wait until courthouse renovation is done before try that as all courts are temporarily housed in the annex

 

[ditcherman]

Wasn't sure where this issue might best fit in which thread, so if need be, ad mins move as appropriate.

Last week I went to the county courthouse to pay my semi annual real estate taxes - the treasurer's office is located on the second floor. Upon entering the only one of the four courthouse entry doors the public is allowed to use (law enforcement, lawyers, and courthouses employees can use the other doors - special privileges but that's another element of the story).

So . . . . .having cleared the entry door I was immediately subjected to a walk through X-ray scanner only after emptying my pockets of all contents - wallet, cell phone, etc. NOT ALLOWED were firearms nor knives. To ensure I didn't violate the rules there were not one, but TWO, county sheriff's deputies present.

I was not carrying a firearm, but couldn't resist asking one of the deputies why the restriction since it went against the Second Amendment. His reply was the county had passed an "ordinance" restricting firearm carry in the courthouse. I didn't press the issue as I felt the deputy wasn't going to waiver in his response(s).

As far as I know, no one has contested this process. One of the facets that kinda grinds my gears is that off law enforcement aren't subject to the restriction - yet I would contend law enforcement officers off duty are just like any other citizen ? And the same even more so for the lawyers who are knownto regularly use the courthouse for various duties.

Wondering if this restriction is in use in other counties ?

It's relatively new in Boone county, at least the enforcement part IIRC. I believe at the annex there is a no guns sign but no enforcement, so I assume it's just another sign, not like a courthouse.
The Hamilton county courthouse has had strict enforcement for years, they've asked many people over the years to take the knife back to the car, etc. Don't know what they'd do about a gun, depends on your attitude.
The Clinton county courthouse has had a sheriff posted for many years but no metal detector. When I'm working it's very normal for me to be carrying a fixed blade knife on my bibs or pants. I walk right past them and they never say anything, probably because I look like a worker type not a trouble maker type.

Why would anyone bother to take their taxes in? Why not mail them, got them postmarked on the due day, and let them wait and give them something else to do. Just trying to do my part towards civil disobedience.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Why would anyone bother to take their taxes in? Why not mail them, got them postmarked on the due day, and let them wait and give them something else to do. Just trying to do my part towards civil disobedience.

I pay mine online now that it's an option in Scott Co. Bank transfer/ e-check is no fee to do so.

 

[ditcherman]

I pay mine online now that it's an option in Scott Co. Bank transfer/ e-check is no fee to do so.

I would definitely do that, except I want to hassle them just a bit.

 

[HoughMade]

Am I wrong in thinking this is a federal law?

Yes.

 

[Joniki]

I pay mine online now that it's an option in Scott Co. Bank transfer/ e-check is no fee to do so.

Yet...

 

[Kirk Freeman]

@Kirk Freeman can best answer this question. Might look at these threads.

New Lafayette PD HQ, No M9s Sign?

Lafayette has a new police headquarters coming on line. Drove by today after Spin class and spied with my little eye a No Berretter sign as I drove to the office (I am right downtown). Lafayette has no City Court as the last City Court judge we had went to prison years ago (Conspiracy to...

www.indianagunowners.com

Tippecanoe County Annex, 111 N. 4th Street, Lafayette

Today I walked a document over to the Prosecuting Attorney here in Lafayette at 111 North 4th Street (cattycorner from my office). Upon arrival I was told that the building was closed because of "staffing issues" and no one could run the metal detectors. Obviously we should not have metal...

www.indianagunowners.com

All this thread and NONE of you has brought up me and bathrooms?

I used to believe in you guys. Stress at work? Pacers in playoffs? Whats going on?

 

[HoughMade]

Court houses are exempt and you can’t carry (wether they enforce that outside of major trial times is county dependent)

However the Deputies (probably Special and not merit) were misguided. It’s not a Counry ordinance and if it was it would be illegal as the steve preemption refuses a lower city/county to make their own.

No. Indiana preemption allows local governments to have an ordinance outlawing carry in a building with a courtroom. The State doesn't make it illegal. It allows local authorities to make it illegal.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Wondering if this restriction is in use in other counties ?

Yes, I have been in many courthouses for my gig (37 counties as of posting), every county has such an ordinance, even Greene (I have a story about Greene). Clinton County was late and they don't really check but they have an ordinance.

**Greene County** Teaching a morning CLE in Evansville and I stopped in Bean Blossom to see the Greene County courthouse as I don't get down that way. I walk in, 2 deputies (busy day), they ask if I have a gun, I say no, the older one sees my knife (Microtech UTX-70) and says can't have a knife. I ask about length restrictions, he says not matter. I nod and turn to leave to put in my truck.

Younger one sticks out hand, "I'll take it, sir", for some reason I had it to him. He admires it, flicking it open and shut a couple of times then goes to a side room and produces one of those Lansky kit things and begins to sharpen it. I look at older one, he shrugs and I run off to Circuit Court to play tourist.

I look around and come out. Deputy young dude presents me my property and wants to talk about the knife. It is razor sharp and he lubed it. I tell him about Brad at Revolver Tactical, lol.

 

[ECS686]

No. Indiana preemption allows local governments to have an ordinance outlawing carry in a building with a courtroom. The State doesn't make it illegal. It allows local authorities to make it illegal.

Isn’t a courthouse not listed as a restricted place within the IC?

 

[manifest destiny]

Given the shell game being played with property taxes, I can see why the assessor's office might prefer the metal detectors and guards.

Superficially, it seems like only the courtrooms should be off limits. Simply having a courtroom present in a building shouldn't limit one's rights while in other parts of the building. Personal infringement by the .gov, c'est la vie.

 

[HoughMade]

Isn’t a courthouse not listed as a restricted place within the IC?

I don't see it, but if you have a cite, I'll look at it and admit that I was wrong.

 

[Emerson Dambiggins]

**Greene County** Teaching a morning CLE in Evansville and I stopped in Bean Blossom to see the Greene County courthouse

Kirk,
My wife who's from Greene Co. took great offense at your assertion that their courthouse is located on Bean Blossum. It's in Bloomfield.
She was not surprised at the rest of your story however!

 

[xwing]

Kirk,
My wife who's from Greene Co. took great offense at your assertion that their courthouse is located on Bean Blossum. It's in Bloomfield.
She was not surprised at the rest of your story however!

I was about to add the same thing. Also, they don't allow any knives at all in the Greene County Courthouse / government building. The deputy temporarily confiscated even my little 1" swiss army knife / nail file (but gave it back on the way out.) The deputies there are very nice, but they do follow the (misguided) rules.

 

[Gabriel]

This "rule" is in place in most (if not all) counties. While I don't agree with it, I can understand the principle. There are few places where tensions run as high as a hot court room.

You've obviously never been to a Waffle House.

 

[KokomoDave]

What are property taxes?
When you live in a van down by the river...

 

[WebSnyper]

What are property taxes?
When you live in a van down by the river...

 

[DadSmith]

Paging law dogs...

I'm surprised that worked.

 

[KokomoDave]

View attachment 352800

Glad you got the joke!