Gun Lock Boxes at Municipal Court

[KJ3030]

I have to go to court for a parking ticket next week. I know the Lancaster County Courthouse has lockboxes. Are municipal justices of the peace required to have lockboxes for firearms as well?

[P1620]

If you are referring to Magisterial District Justice offices, then no. As far as I know, they are not required to provide the service.

[Curmudgeon]

If you are referring to Magisterial District Justice offices, then no. As far as I know, they are not required to provide the service.

Why not? They are a courthouse. Are we allowed to carry inside?

EDIT: might want to reread 18 Pa C.S. 913... http://www.pa2a.org/wiki.php?wid=17
.

[Statkowski]

As per the previous post cited, Magisterial District Courts are required to provide storage facilities for those citizens licensed to carry firearms. Now, as to whether or not those "storage facilities" are individual lockboxes or merely handing the piece over to the clerk behind the window (who will promptly leave a puddle on the floor), is up to the Magisterial District Judge.

I would recommend calling the particular court facility and inquiring about storage facilities for firearms. Odds are they won't have any and will probably recommend leaving it in your car. This is an option for you. Another option, if they don't have storage facilities, is to request transfer to another court facility with storage facilities (which would require more travel on your part). Politely point out the law to the court clerk, and take it from there.

They can't deny you your day in court because they're not in compliance with state law (my opinion).

[PAMedic=F|A=]

As per the previous post cited, Magisterial District Courts are required to provide storage facilities for those citizens licensed to carry firearms. Now, as to whether or not those "storage facilities" are individual lockboxes or merely handing the piece over to the clerk behind the window (who will promptly leave a puddle on the floor), is up to the Magisterial District Judge.

I would recommend calling the particular court facility and inquiring about storage facilities for firearms. Odds are they won't have any and will probably recommend leaving it in your car. This is an option for you. Another option, if they don't have storage facilities, is to request transfer to another court facility with storage facilities (which would require more travel on your part). Politely point out the law to the court clerk, and take it from there.

They can't deny you your day in court because they're not in compliance with state law (my opinion).

Snyder County Courts have lock boxes. All of them; if you need to request another court room I'll buy your lunch.

Read the law as linked.

[KJ3030]

Thanks, the way I read the law, they are required to have storage facilities. Looks like a phone call is coming up to see if they actually do or not.

[rwilson452]

If your court doesn't have lock boxes or other means of secure storage, the person to contact is the court administrator. I took that route and got things fixed except for the one in my town. That court is located in a bldg used by the school thus a school bldg.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

If your court doesn't have lock boxes or other means of secure storage, the person to contact is the court administrator. I took that route and got things fixed except for the one in my town. That court is located in a bldg used by the school thus a school bldg.

I would point out that even if it is a school, lock boxes are required. Their is no exemption for courthouses located in schools. In addition, there are several reasons
to have firearms in a school, and LEOs may wish to secure their firearms (or be required to).