Securing a firearm at a Courthouse

[ncortez11]

To my knowledge, at least in Southern California and personal experience, on-duty yes. Anything not job related, can't take your gun into the courthouse.

[rolncode3]

I don't think he's talking about going on duty, since he referenced jury duty. Some counties don't exempt peace officers from jury duty.

Oh. I looked back at his first 3 posts and don't see it. I just assumed he was going on official business.

[Sacmedic]

If the OP is a CDCR CO then he/she should have a LEO cred that states CCW is authorized. This is not quite the same as civilian CCW as the authority for a CDCR CO comes from PC 830.5 (or thereabouts), not the civilian section. If the Presiding Judge doesn't let off duty LEO store their weapons there isn't much recourse. Agency policy will govern his/her weapon storage due to them approving the off duty CCW. They are the only peace officer class I am aware of whose cred must have the CCW endorsement. Good luck to the OP.

[Samuelx]

So basically, if I cant bench my weapon in a locker and its agaisnt departmently policy to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle, then that means im traveling unarmed to and from the courthouse. So then my constitional rights dont mean "jack" and jury duty becomes priority then. WOW!!! So if I refuse to leave my weapon at home and they wont bench my weapon, then how am I supost to enter the courthouse and do my duty?

Do you get just as upset if/when you fly or go somewhere like the Staples Center?

[Notorious]

Why would a court have a duty to provide lockers to lock up your personal belongings? You can't carry scissors or a sword there either and they don't have to provide an armory or a kitchen drawer too.

I only know of a few courts that have lockers as a COURTESY and most courts that don't have lockers down here, you can ask the Sheriff's Office in the lobby somewhere if they will do you the favor and most will, in my experience. They don't like having officers walking unarmed back to the car either, since most courts are not in the best areas.

If you are considered a "private citizen" while off duty, then you can do whatever, right? Buy a GunVault and lock it up in your car, that's about as good as you can do in this situation... or buy a mobile home so wherever you park, you are considered at home so you don't violate policy.

[ls2monaro]

171b of the penal code defines this issue pretty clearly. If you are not on the clock it stays out of the building, period!

[mej16489]

171b of the penal code defines this issue pretty clearly. If you are not on the clock it stays out of the building, period!

It also clearly has exemptions...

[Ron-Solo]

It also clearly has exemptions...

Yes, but off duty peace officers on personal business is not one of them. In addition to the penal code there are the California Rules of Court, and rules established by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and local rules estlablished by the Presiding Judge.

As a Field Lieutenant, I oversaw the court security operations at various courts for over ten years, so I have a little experience in this field.

[Jonnyboy182]

In Fresno Courts All off duty officers there on personal buisness have to lock their guns up-lockers are available for them. If you are just a regular CCW you cant bring it in and it wont be locked on site.

[Caddis]

Depends on the county. If you are a CDCR going to court for personal biz, generally no. If your're there on official business and getting paid, you're on-duty. Usually you just badge your way in and they'll ask if you're carrying and if you are, they give you a visible sticker for your jacket. Some require a sign-in. Never heard of securing a weapon except for one time when I was in SF at immigration off-duty.