Viper's OC log

[streaker69]

Well, that was an interesting set of phone calls.

I went online and found a list of every MDJ court in Delaware County, compiling them onto a list in Excel so I could track my progress. I called each and every one (a couple more than once because of the way some districts overlap, oops), asking precisely two questions:

1) If I have a traffic ticket and I come in to get it taken care of, and I legally carry a firearm every day for self-defense and protection, where are your lockers located so I can secure that when I come in?

2) Were you aware of the ordinance in State Law that obligates each court to have said lockers?

Universally, the answer to Question 1 was always a variant of "We don't have any lockers," more often than not followed up by the statement, "You can't bring a gun into a courthouse according to State law." On no less than five separate calls, I was asked, "Why would you even bring a gun to a courthouse anyway?"

Question 2 was only slightly less universal. All were fully aware that taking a gun into a court room was illegal, but the vast majority (all but two) were entirely devoid of familiarity with the rest of the law that states lockers or similar facilities are required on location.

I wasn't looking to get anyone caught up, but if you would have heard the attitude I got from some of the clerks, you would have thought I was attacking them personally. Most of them simply took it as a question and were quite polite, but on several occasions, I was given quite a bit of attitude. One even told me to stop calling, since I had to call the same building several times to get a hold of each Upper Darby court. She also said that the President Judge of Delaware County had put out a "Court Order" stating that all firearms were universally prohibited from all DelCo court facilities except for law enforcement officers, specifically contradicting and violating State law.

After all of this, I called the Court Administrator's office in Media. The woman I spoke with there, Carol, was exceedingly polite and friendly. I explained to her the situation with the lack of lockers at all court facilities and told her about the attitude and remarks detailed above. She seemed genuinely surprised that a court clerk would tell me the President Judge was intentionally violating the law, and took my information to pass along to her boss (the actual Courts Administrator) for him to call me back tomorrow morning.

You're doing it wrong.

[ViperGTS19801]

Why would you bring a gun to a courtroom? What was your response to that one? I know what I would say.

Thanks, Bill.

"I'm not bringing it to court - I carry it every day. My question was whether or not you had lockers..."

You're doing it wrong.

I am? What should I be doing instead, then?

[streaker69]

I am? What should I be doing instead, then?

If I recall, you're supposed call first, like you did. Then you're supposed to go to the MDJ's office, act strangely inside while taking pictures, then run outside suddenly and have a confrontation with police.

ETA: Forgot that you're also supposed to talk about yourself in the third person.

[twency]

If I recall, you're supposed call first, like you did. Then you're supposed to go to the MDJ's office, act strangely inside while taking pictures, then run outside suddenly and have a confrontation with police.

ETA: Forgot that you're also supposed to talk about yourself in the third person.

But only after having your PA LTCF revoked due to a drug charge.

_________
But seriously, Mark, thanks for your ongoing efforts.

[ViperGTS19801]

Oh man I am such a noob

[streaker69]

Oh man Mark is such a noob

Fixed that for you. I'm sure you'll catch on.

[soberbyker]

If I recall, you're supposed call first, like you did. Then you're supposed to go to the MDJ's office, act strangely inside while taking pictures, then run outside suddenly and have a confrontation with police.

ETA: Forgot that you're also supposed to talk about yourself in the third person.

But only having your PA LTCF revoked due to a drug charge.

_________
But seriously, Mark, thanks for your ongoing efforts.

Don't forget to chastise the very people you seek help from in your quest as well ....

[libra8]

Mark, you did fine with the ticket. Good luck with the locker battle.

[mollymayhem82]

Maybe when addressing people in positions of authority, you should try saying "not in compliance with" rather than "in violation of". The whole honey/vinegar thiing

[RockIsland]

Maybe when addressing people in positions of authority, you should try saying "not in compliance with" rather than "in violation of". The whole honey/vinegar thiing

You mean like, I am "not in compliance" with your request for my identification just because I'm open carrying, which is "in violation of" state law.

...and please don't shoot my dog.

I really like her.