Anyone familiar with the process of gun check at the Phila. Criminal Justice Center?

[BIA_Design]

I have to attend court tomorrow in the sentencing of the guys who were involved in my armed home invasion robbery (november '06, ...... so much for speedy trial). I have not carried the last couple appearances, but would like to tomorrow if I can learn the formal the process of checking a firearm ahead of time.

This is the criminal division of Phila. municipal court on Filbert St.

Thanks in advance.

[gold cup abuser]

I think they have a no firearms policy there..

last time I was there they have storage for your cell phone but I didn't see any area for weapons storage.

call 215 686 1776 for further info...thats the City Hall main operator number.

[gnbrotz]

When you call, they're likely going to tell you not to bring it. Here is the law you can refer them to:

§913. Possession of Firearm or Other Dangerous Weapon in Court Facility.

(a) Offense defined.—A person commits an offense if he:

(1) knowingly possesses a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a court facility or knowingly causes a firearm or other dangerous weapon to be present in a court facility; or

(2) knowingly possesses a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a court facility with the intent that the firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime or knowingly causes a firearm or other dangerous weapon to be present in a court facility with the intent that the firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime.

(b) Grading.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), an offense under subsection (a)(1) is a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(2) An offense under subsection (a)(2) is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(3) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a summary offense if the person was carrying a firearm under section 6106(b) (relating to firearms not to be carried without a license) or 6109 (relating to licenses) and failed to check the firearm under subsection (e) prior to entering the court facility.

(c) Exceptions.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to:

(1) The lawful performance of official duties by an officer, agent or employee of the United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of any violation of law.

(2) The lawful performance of official duties by a court official.

(3) The carrying of rifles and shotguns by instructors and participants in a course of instruction provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission under 34 Pa. C.S. §2704 (relating to eligibility for license).

(4) Associations of veteran soldiers and their auxiliaries or members of organized armed forces of the United States or the Commonwealth, including reserve components, when engaged in the performance of ceremonial duties with county approval.

(5) The carrying of a dangerous weapon or firearm unloaded and in a secure wrapper by an attorney who seeks to employ the dangerous weapon or firearm as an exhibit or as a demonstration and who possesses written authorization from the court to bring the dangerous weapon or firearm into the court facility. (Added by L.1995, Act 66(2), eff. 11/22/95.)

(d) Posting of notice.—Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (e) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each courthouse or other building containing a court facility and each court facility, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a)(1) with respect to a court facility if the notice was not so posted at each public entrance to the courthouse or other building containing a court facility anti at the court facility unless the person had actual notice of the provisions of subsection (a).

(e) Facilities for checking firearms or other dangerous weapons.—Each county shall make available at or within the building containing a court facility by July 1, 2002, lockers or similar facilities at no charge or cost for the temporary checking of firearms by persons carrying firearms under section 6106(b) or 6109 or for the checking of other dangerous weapons that are not otherwise prohibited by law. Any individual checking a firearm, dangerous weapon or an item deemed to be a dangerous weapon at a court facility must be issued a receipt. Notice of the location of the facility shall be posted as required under subsection (d). (Chgd. by L.1999, Act 59, eff 2/15/00.)

(f) Definitions.—As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

“Court facility.” The courtroom of a court of record; a courtroom of a community court; the courtroom of a district justice; a courtroom of the Philadelphia Municipal Court; a courtroom of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court; a courtroom of the Traffic Court of Philadelphia; judge’s chambers; witness rooms; jury deliberation rooms; attorney conference rooms; prisoner holding cells; offices of court clerks, the district attorney, the sheriff and probation and parole officers; and any adjoining corridors.

“Dangerous weapon.” A bomb, grenade, blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife (the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism or otherwise) or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

“Firearm.” Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas. The term does not include any device designed or used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition.

(Added by L. 1995, Spec. Sess. 1, Act 17(1), eff 10/11/95.)

[BIA_Design]

I think they have a no firearms policy there..

last time I was there they have storage for your cell phone but I didn't see any area for weapons storage.

call 215 686 1776 for further info...thats the City Hall main operator number.

Correct, cell phone storage is on the left, but I thought I could have sworn in the middle, between the 2 different entrances was a firearm check area...

[knighthawk06699]

Most courts have sheriffs office in them, at which point and time you go in tell them you have a LTCF you are armed and need to store your weapon. 90% of the offices have little lockers that you put your weapon in and lock it they give you the key you take care of your business and pick up your firearm on the way out. They would rather see you lock it up in their office rather than leave it in you unattended car/truck.

[gbrown221]

13th and filbert has lockers for weapons. they get pissy about it becasue it's philly but they have them. !! i have used them!!1

Greg

[BIA_Design]

13th and filbert has lockers for weapons. they get pissy about it becasue it's philly but they have them. !! i have used them!!1

Greg

If you don't mind me asking, what was the process? Did they require you to safe the weapon removing the chambered round and mag or just lock it up as it is carried in cond. 1?

[ElBori01]

I went yesterday with my wife because she had jury duty and when we get there the guy ask us for id's, then I proceed to ask him what I need to do to checking my firearm, then the guy open his eyes and ask me, "are you a cop?", I said, "no", he paused and look at me for about three seconds, "you got licence to carry?", I said, "yes, is there any lockers for gun storage", he said, "yes, but is just for cops, if you are carrying you got to leave the premises" so I look to my wife and I tell her that I'm gonna put the gun in the car. I didn't say anything else or make any comment to the guy.

[gnbrotz]

Are you going back again? Print out my post above (#3) and hand it to him. Tell him you are carrying under 6109, and you would like to make use of the storage facilities the law requires them to have for you.

[BIA_Design]

I went yesterday with my wife because she had jury duty and when we get there the guy ask us for id's, then I proceed to ask him what I need to do to checking my firearm, then the guy open his eyes and ask me, "are you a cop?", I said, "no", he paused and look at me for about three seconds, "you got licence to carry?", I said, "yes, is there any lockers for gun storage", he said, "yes, but is just for cops, if you are carrying you got to leave the premises" so I look to my wife and I tell her that I'm gonna put the gun in the car. I didn't say anything else or make any comment to the guy.

Wow... this is the kinda shît I was worried about. I think I might just leave it at home even though working in politics, my GF and I have some good friends in elected city positions. Not worth the hassle.

El... The current president judge of Philly court of common pleas is a close associate of my GFs (Though not our party, she initially worked on his attempted run for PA supreme court... and for those turning red with frustration over a gun owners family working with a Dem, when working phila. city politics, they hold all the cards and sometimes you need to cross aisles for those you think would make the best candidate) If you were upset by the situation I could pass along your concerns and I assure you they would be heard and is the kind of guy who would take the time to personally take a look.