Northampton County Courthouse

[Statkowski]

Wouldn't it be smarter and easier for them if the storage facilities were located immediately adjacent to the checkpoint? It takes them two people to do a one person job.

Wait outside? Hah! It would be a cold day in Hell before I did that.

[Storm88000]

Sigh... why is following the law so difficult for LEOs of all people?

The answer is very simple. I could tell you what it is but I'd rather not here. PM me if you want to know

[pamedic]

I've never checked my firearm at NC courthouse but from the last couple people that I have heard that have it was no big deal. Yes they make you wait outside but they weren't hassled and it was fairly quick and easy procedure. OP must have gotten a new guy.

[twency]

...Yes they make you wait outside...

I don't see how they are legally justified in doing so.

[pamedic]

I don't see how they are legally justified in doing so.

I'm pretty sure they could tell you to stand on your head and wait if they wanted. Doesn't say they have to let you wait inside. I agree it sucks but they take the "No firearms in a court house" to an extreme, not even in the lobby. Kinda makes me glad I live in Lehigh County, at least we get to wait inside if we have to wait at all.

[Statkowski]

Cambria County Courthouse - storage facilities right at the security checkpoint. No big deal checking firearms.

Indiana County Courthouse - storage facilities right at the security checkpoint. No big deal checking firearms.

No legal way they can make you wait outside. They are required by law to provide storage facilities. The fact that they make it an operational nightmare is their fault.

Get three people, have them all check in five minutes apart. Make their gopher run ragged.

Write to the county commissioners, info the sheriff, point out their problem (wait outside until Dudley Doright shows up, two people to do a one person job, inconveniencing citizens, etc.). Other counties don't have this problem.

[twency]

I'm pretty sure they could tell you to stand on your head and wait if they wanted. Doesn't say they have to let you wait inside. I agree it sucks but they take the "No firearms in a court house" to an extreme, not even in the lobby. Kinda makes me glad I live in Lehigh County, at least we get to wait inside if we have to wait at all.

I guess the question is whether demanding that you exit the facility until they bring a box out to you is the same as providing "lockers or similar facilities" "at or within the building containing a court facility". I don't think it is really within the spirit of the law, but I suppose it's within the letter.

[Storm88000]

Cambria County Courthouse - storage facilities right at the security checkpoint. No big deal checking firearms.

Indiana County Courthouse - storage facilities right at the security checkpoint. No big deal checking firearms.

Those counties are pretty far from Northampton county. The state of Pennsylvania sort of consists of 2 cultures: the NJ/NY culture (eastern part of the state, Poconos) and it gradually but convincingly becomes more mid-western by the time you get west of York or Stage College. So it's no surprise checking a firearm is easier.

Don't be surprised if south-eastern PA's firearms restrictions become different (i.e. - more restrictive) than the rest of the state in the coming years, kind of like NYC's ban vs. upstate NY. The issues in Philadelphia will likely only spread. Same as the smoking bans.

[jerryg]

Do LEO's on or off duty have to wait outside? Or is it just for us little people?

[pamedic]

Do LEO's on or off duty have to wait outside? Or is it just for us little people?

Just the peeons.