Conceal Carry in courthouse for jury duty?

[silentslammer]

Call me stupid, but is a county courthouse a federal building or a state building? Are courthouses generally off limit to carry? I've heard both ways but not sure what the truth is. I have jury duty next month and was wondering if I just leave mr.carrygun at home? I'll feel lonely if I have to separate. I've been in courthouses like Washington County with metal detectors and courthouses in Eastern Oregon that dont have detectors, but has police officers still carrying S&W revolvers:: It was so cool to see a county of just 7,000 good red blooded Americans with their LE carrying revolvers. Anyway, is it a no no to carry in courthouses? thanks for not calling me,stupid

Read More

 

[spectra]

I would say it is a no no. Even if there is no metal detector I still would not want to be caught with a gun in a court room. I know when I worked at the West Lynn courthouse years ago they let me carry my leathermen even after going through the detector. For some reason they did not care as I was a contractor. But when I went there as a paying customer for a traffic ticket they would not let me in with it

 

[Modeler]

Even though it's the County Courthouse, I think the buildings are owned by the State. Either way, the carry option is set by the presiding judge in the county. Some county's judges (everything west of the Cascades?) don't like folks carrying guns into their courthouses. Others (east of the Cascades) see it like most of us on here do, as a crime deterrent.

That's my understanding at least...

Greg

 

[James1300]

Call the P.D. and ask.

 

[soberups]

Every courthouse I have ever been in (Yamhill, Washington, Clackamas) has been a clearly posted "no carry" zone and the signs on the door specifically state that carry permits are not valid in the building. I did jury duty in Yamhill county last year and a fellow juror specifically asked if he could carry with his permit and was told no.

 

[56kninja]

Call me stupid, but is a county courthouse a federal building or a state building? Are courthouses generally off limit to carry? I've heard both ways but not sure what the truth is. I have jury duty next month and was wondering if I just leave mr.carrygun at home? I'll feel lonely if I have to separate. I've been in courthouses like Washington County with metal detectors and courthouses in Eastern Oregon that dont have detectors, but has police officers still carrying S&W revolvers:: It was so cool to see a county of just 7,000 good red blooded Americans with their LE carrying revolvers. Anyway, is it a no no to carry in courthouses? thanks for not calling me,stupid

Check your jury summons.

It should say. IMO, it's safe to assume that they don'tt want you carrying a gun unless you are law enforcement.. Because of the fact that criminals are transported through there, fear of jury intimidation, and they probably saw Boondock Saints.

 

[chemist]

Courthouses are specifically and explicitly called out as no-carry zones in the state statute, along with jails:
Concealed Handguns FAQ

"Oregon law provides very few limits on where a person with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) can carry a firearm, and federal laws contain a few more prohibitions. Even if you have a Concealed Handgun License, you cannot carry a firearm on any of the following properties:

Federal facilities - federal courthouses, social security offices, in secured areas of airports, and on airplanes
National forests marked or posted by signs prohibiting all firearms
Indian reservations or Indian property - you may not carry a firearm concealed without the written permission of the tribal judge; this may also apply to certain casinos on Indian lands
Courts - in a courtroom, jury room, judge's chambers or adjacent areas that the presiding judge determines should be free of firearms to ensure the safety of the litigants, court personnel, witnesses and others
Private property where the owner prohibits firearms possession
If you violate these conditions you could, under certain circumstances, be subject to arrest under Oregon trespass laws, in which case your concealed handgun license would be seized and/or revoked. Learn more, read ORS 166.370.

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty. Violating these provisions may result in your arrest for a Class C felony, and could also result in your being found in contempt of court. ORS 166.370 and Uniform Trial Court Rule 6.180.

No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secured perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C felony. ORS 162.185.

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance."

 

[Modeler]

Courthouses are specifically and explicitly called out as no-carry zones in the state statute, along with jails:


Courts - in a courtroom, jury room, judge's chambers or adjacent areas that the presiding judge determines should be free of firearms to ensure the safety of the litigants, court personnel, witnesses and others...

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty...

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance."

I'm gonna have to disagree with your interpretation... It specifically states above that the courtroom, jury room, judges chambers and adjacent areas are prohibited carry areas. It leaves carry in the rest of the courthouse (offices, hallways, bathrooms, etc) up to the discretion and direction of the 'Presiding Judge'.

Greg

 

[Gunner3456]

In Jackson County, you can't get into the building without emptying your pockets into a basket, removing your belt and watch, and going through a metal detector. If you set off the alarm, an employee goes over you with a wand to find out what caused it.

This is even if you just want to walk up to a window and file for eviction for a non-paying renter. I mean literally, you can't get into the building.

Since there is a local regulation against, and signs against carrying into there, I don't know what the penalty would be.

Since the first thing you encounter on the first floor are the windows where you pay fines, get forms, file for eviction, etc., I wish they would move those metal detectors back beyond that.

Cliff

 

[MEP1000]

I'm gonna have to disagree with your interpretation... It specifically states above that the courtroom, jury room, judges chambers and adjacent areas are prohibited carry areas. It leaves carry in the rest of the courthouse (offices, hallways, bathrooms, etc) up to the discretion and direction of the 'Presiding Judge'.

Greg

The adjacent areas talked about ARE the offices, hallways, and bathrooms. In multnomah county and clackamas county you can't get into the building period with a weapon unless you are a cop.

 

[silentslammer]

Cliff, I was in Jackson county courthouse 2 times this past summer and the doors I entered didnt have a detector at the enterance, but to be fair I went directly downstairs to the planning department to ask some questions on a piece of land. Another topic, how restrictive that county is on building. Geez, its like whats the purpose of buying land when you cant do anthing on it? I suppose its the enviro-Nazis of Ashland pushing the excessive restriction on land development in Jackson. Anyway, thanks for the replies as I'll play it safe and not carry during jury duty as I dont want to change position from jurer to criminal being prosecuted.

 

[Gunner3456]

Cliff, I was in Jackson county courthouse 2 times this past summer and the doors I entered didnt have a detector at the enterance, but to be fair I went directly downstairs to the planning department to ask some questions on a piece of land. Another topic, how restrictive that county is on building. Geez, its like whats the purpose of buying land when you cant do anthing on it? I suppose its the enviro-Nazis of Ashland pushing the excessive restriction on land development in Jackson. Anyway, thanks for the replies as I'll play it safe and not carry during jury duty as I dont want to change position from jurer to criminal being prosecuted.

With all due respect, you weren't in the courthouse, LOL. You were in the old courthouse now abandoned for county offices. I know that because that's where planning is - basically in the basement and you can get there through the front door and then go down beside the stairs which go up to the second floor, or you can go in from the parking lot in the back side.

A few years ago Jackson Country built a brand new and MUCH bigger "Justice Building" across the side street (8th) and W. about a block. It's sandwiched between the newer city hall and the Sheriff's office and county jail. It's huge and new. IT has the airport-like security.

Now, go back and try getting into the new building which has the courtrooms and other courthouse functions, LOL.

Cliff

Here's the courthouse's main page with a pic of the newer building. If you look at the pic, you'll see two really big concrete structures. One is the new courthouse called the "Justice building" and the other behind it is the sheriff's office and jail. It doesn't sound as if you were in either of them.

index

Pic of new buildings:



I think you were in this old one if you were in the basement of an old building seeing planning. It has no security, and no justice functions.

 

[Father of four]

I am currently on jury duty in Multnomah County. You most definitely can not carry a firearm in the building.

 

[absoluterik07]

In Marion county the sign on the courthouse says that it is a class d felony to carry ANY weapon into the courthouse.

 

[Father of four]

Call me stupid, but is a county courthouse a federal building or a state building? Are courthouses generally off limit to carry? I've heard both ways but not sure what the truth is. I have jury duty next month and was wondering if I just leave mr.carrygun at home? I'll feel lonely if I have to separate. I've been in courthouses like Washington County with metal detectors and courthouses in Eastern Oregon that dont have detectors, but has police officers still carrying S&W revolvers:: It was so cool to see a county of just 7,000 good red blooded Americans with their LE carrying revolvers. Anyway, is it a no no to carry in courthouses? thanks for not calling me,stupid

I HATE getting on the Max each morning and evening without any protection. To and from the Courthouse is a bit nerving sometimes.

Hope for the best I guess.

 

[The B]

if you're a juror, you should be given special consideration. there was a time when you could "check" your weapons with security at the door, and get them back. i do this at the VA- the federal police up there are very cool about holding your piece for you.

i'd talk to whoever is in charge. maybe even the judge. explain your situation- traveling to and from, and especially since simply being a juror automatically slightly increases your need for "protection." you're giving your time to do your civic duty, they need to check your pistol for you.

i'd definitely give it a shot. being unarmed is ridiculous.

as to the question, which has probably been answered... for county and state buildings, you're perfectly within your rights to carry- EXCEPT in posted courtrooms. i, for instance, carry into the WASHCO lobby every time i go pay for another seatbelt ticket. i don't step foot into the countroom itself, i'm within my rights. but as always, concealed means concealed.

 

[Father of four]

Courthouse Security

Courthouse Security

"Security at the Multnomah County Courthouse is provided by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office through its Facility Security Unit. There are also Enforcement and Corrections Sheriff Deputies staffing the Courthouse for security and protection.

Security equipment in use in the Courthouse includes magnetometers (walk-through metal detectors), x-ray scanners, and hand held metal detectors. If you have a pacemaker, tell the security officer about it before you enter the metal detector. The sheriff’s staff do physical pat-downs on persons with pace makers. The security screening process creates long lines of people waiting to enter the courthouse during peak hours. The closer to 8 AM you arrive for jury service, the longer the line will be to clear security.

Courthouse security is now tighter than airport security. Firearms ( even if you have a permit ), pocket knives, "leatherman" type multi-use tools, scissors, knitting needles and other pointed or sharp items are not allowed in the courthouse. Court security staff will NOT hold unauthorized items for return to jurors at the end of the day."

 

[Father of four]

I just called the MULTNOMAH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I asked them that if I was serving on Jury Duty and that I had a CHL permit could there be someone, someway that I could have my handgun held there at the courthouse while I was there doing jury duty, then receive my handgun at the end of the day.

They said no. No firearms are permitted in a government building.

Unless you work for the government? I wonder if judges, lawyers, government employees can?

Thats pretty funny to me..Dont they work for us?

 

[Father of four]

Here is a nice short read.

Oregon Firearms Federation

Dave Brownlow, Third Congressional District. Constitution Party

"The 2nd Amendment does not bestow some special new right to us. It merely affirms our inalienable right to self defense and guarantees access to the means with which to exercise it.

Therefore, any ban based on gun style, size, caliber, rate of fire, magazine capacity, etc. are in direct conflict with the Constitution and should be immediately repealed.

The "right of the people to keep and bear arms," (notice it doesn't limit it to guns) concealed or otherwise, should be a protected right in all 50 states - without a license.

The second amendment should be reinstated aboard airplanes to ensure that all passengers are afforded the basic right of self defense while traveling.

Any laws that ban the bearing of arms on school property, or in any other government buildings are unconstitutional and should be repealed.

Only a government-educated lawyer could read the words "the right of the people," and conclude that the rights guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment are limited to "the people" in the National Guard or the Army."

I agree 100%!!!

 

[Father of four]

https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.370

166.370

Possession of firearm or dangerous weapon in public building or court facility