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nightmare69 wrote:

cclacy wrote:I’ve been following a case with the Brazos County courthouse which 19 years ago or so posted the entire courthouse building (a 4 story muli-use building with many offices, including county and district clerk offices) with a 30.06 sign. For the last 17-18 years there has been, and still is, a metal detector at the door manned by Brazos county sheriff deputies. One cannot even enter with a small pocket knife.

Here is a link to the Ken Paxton letter from March 30, 2016 saying they are in violation, as well as a ruling letter from Ken Paxton’s office saying the matter is closed because they removed the sign. That letter is from November 10, 2016.

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/fi ... thouse.pdf


I went to the courthouse today. The signs are indeed removed. Now there is a generic sign that says basically “No Weapons Allowed, PC 46.03” I called and spoke with the security department. They said they do not allow anyone with an LTC to enter the building while carrying a handgun. I asked why 30.06 was removed. They said the AG office required it, but allows the generic sign. I reiterated that it’s not a legal sign prohibiting concealed carry by an LTC holder. They again stated that a citizen with an LTC may not enter with his or her firearm. I also confirmed that the county clerk is still located in the building (along with other non court offices).

I then entered the building. Five feet from the inside of the front door is the metal detector. I stopped short of that to speak with a deputy. The polite deputy I spoke with in person told me the exact same thing.


So am I missing something? It seems to me they are pulling a fast one. They removed the sign but still deny access to LTCs at the security screening point at the entrance. I called the AG assistant’s office, and Andrea said I should launch a complaint. I’d love opinions. Should I just call the AG complaint hotline. It seems to me this matter has already been ruled on by the AG, and Brazos county is just pulling a sneaky stunt to act like they are in compliance if an AG investigator stops by to view the entrance and check for a sign (which is now gone).

Smith county said to local news that the AG's opinion is just that,an opinion that until a law is passed preventing them from posting, they will continue to do so. I believe all the signs are still up.

DEB wrote:I am wondering, what Court Buildings in the State are not posted? Might be easier for folks to post Court Buildings that are not posted. Coryell and Bell County are. Even the Coryell and Bell County annex's are posted 30.06/30.07. Shoot even the Municipal building in Copperas Cove is posted. I haven't looked at the Lampasas or Mills County Court Buildings, but they probably are as well. (Stated buildings instead of the commonly used verbiage of Court Houses). Seems like all of them have decided to post and thumb their collective noses at the Law and the AG with his opinions. Talked to several Law Enforcement types and was told that you will get arrested if you carry. As I am a Republican and have a job, I personally don't have the money or the time to fight against these actions. What is one to do? No one currently in power is listening or following the Law it seems. Write a letter? Yep, that's working out great.

ScottDLS wrote:The AG will have to pursue the case until they get a court order for them to take down the (46.03) signs and an order to allow LTC to carry in the building. If the court says the 46.03 signs are not violating the 409.211 fines law, then it will be up to someone with standing to sue the county after they are prevented from entering the building with a LTC. Since a LTC wishing to do business in the (non-court) county offices has a "right" to access this public property, they should have a good case. I'm not volunteering because I don't have the money to pursue a suit. This is an example of how determined public officials can thwart the clear intention of the law and citizens' rights with no consequence. Here we are over a year from the law gong into effect and there is plenty more time to wait.

The Annoyed Man wrote:So what's it going to take for the legislature to make it clear beyond any "interpretation" other than the legislature's clear intent?

Excaliber wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:So what's it going to take for the legislature to make it clear beyond any "interpretation" other than the legislature's clear intent?

Daily $500 fines personally payable by the senior elected executive official in the jurisdiction, commencing when notice of violation is served on his or her office.

treadlightly wrote:I couldn't stand it. I called the Brazos County Sheriff's Office and asked if the entire courthouse building was off limits to lawful carry.

The dispatcher who answered the phone said it was. After assuring her I wasn't going to do anything crazy I asked if she knew under what authority the County was allowed to make that ban.

She referred me to the signs on the outside of the courthouse. Otherwise, she didn't know.

That's really a shame to put law enforcement in that position. C'mon, HB560!

nightmare69 wrote:

treadlightly wrote:I couldn't stand it. I called the Brazos County Sheriff's Office and asked if the entire courthouse building was off limits to lawful carry.

The dispatcher who answered the phone said it was. After assuring her I wasn't going to do anything crazy I asked if she knew under what authority the County was allowed to make that ban.

She referred me to the signs on the outside of the courthouse. Otherwise, she didn't know.

That's really a shame to put law enforcement in that position. C'mon, HB560!

The county's attorney would be the person to ask. A dispatcher isn't going to know.

A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a)... on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court

"Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.