Allowing CCW permit holders into courthouse facilities?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unregistered
You have to read the small print to understand what's going on with Senator Steube's proposal to change the gun law. If you only read the large print that is posted at the Senate website, it reads as follows:
- Authorizing a concealed weapons or concealed firearms licensee to temporarily surrender a weapon or firearm if the licensee approaches courthouse security or management personnel upon arrival and follow their instructions, etc.
However, if you read the fine print in Steube's proposal to change the law, he is attempting to statutorily redefine the definition of what a "courthouse" is, which will allow CCW permit holders to wear their guns into courthouse facilities and into Clerk of Court buildings if hearings and judges chambers are not present.
Here is the backstory on this statutory proposal: Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight refused to obey the chief judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit:
- The statute currently allows judges to bar CCW permit holders from wearing their guns into "court facilities" where "judicial operations" are happening.
- Senator Steube's proposal is to change the definition of what a "courthouse" is so that CCW permit holders will be allowed to wear their guns (on their person) throughout all "courthouse facilities" if there are no hearings or judges chambers present.
- Steube is doing this as a personal favor for Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight, due to the recent fiasco when:
1. A deputy refused to allow Senator Steube to carry a weapon into the Sarasota Clerk of Court building.
2. Steube complained to Knight, stating that weapons are statutorily allowed inside.
3. Colonel Kurt Hoffman advised Knight that Steube was correct (but Hoffman and Steube were wrong).
4. Knight immediately removed all deputies from security checkpoints inside the Sarasota Clerk of Court building.
5. The chief judge of the entire 12th Judicial Circuit ordered Knight to put deputies back into the Sarasota Clerk of Court building -- or be arrested for contempt of court.
6. Knight refused to obey the judge.
7. Instead of arresting Knight, the judge allowed the controversy to go to the appellate court.
8. Knight and Hoffman quickly learned that the statute allows the judge to bar CCW permit holders from wearing their guns throughout the Clerk of Court building. Sheriff Knight and Colonel Hoffman panicked and complained to Senator Steube.
9. As a favor to Knight, Steube attempts to "amend" the statutory definition of a "courthouse" (in SB616). It's in the small print and you have to search for it. If Steube can change the law, then:
a) Knight will not be forced to return deputies to security checkpoints inside the Sarasota Clerk of Court building.
b) The chief judge will not be able to arrest Knight for contempt.
c) CCW permit holders will be able to legally wear their guns throughout the Sarasota Clerk of Court building.
10. Senator Anitere Flores (a Miami Republican) is refusing to allow Steube to amend the courthouse law. She wants to keep guns out of courthouse facilities. Flores says that guns don't mix well in courthouse buildings that have in-progress judicial operations.
11. Senator Steube says otherwise.
Prediction: Sarasota Sheriff Knight will be forced to return deputies to security checkpoints inside the Sarasota Clerk of Court building to prohibit CCW holders from wearing their guns throughout the courthouse facility.
Time will tell.
