Lycoming County Courthouse - Guns & Phones

[shep13]

I went to the LCCH today to renew my LTCF and decided not to carry since I never been through the courthouse doors armed before. I wanted to ask security to make sure they were prepared for a citizen CCing and had the lockers etc.

I made it through security except there is now a new rule as of Jan 1 that you may not bring any cell phones, computers, tablets, etc into the building. The guy in front of me was quite perturbed since he said he had walked many blocks and couldn't just quickly run it to a car. He lost that battle.

Before I ran out to the truck, I asked about the process if I had been armed and how they handled that. The two young security guards knew the steps and were prepared and were very professional.

The Sheriffs office was great. Fast and friendly - 10 minutes and out with my new LTCF.

Looks like you can come in armed and have better options than if you have your phone!

[mollymayhem82]

So, guns are okay, but tech isn't? That makes no sense.

The Lackawanna County courthouse has no ban on any tech; it just has to be turned off in courtrooms, and put on silent outside of them.

[twency]

So, guns are okay, but tech isn't? That makes no sense.

The Lackawanna County courthouse has no ban on any tech; it just has to be turned off in courtrooms, and put on silent outside of them.

It makes a little sense, since they're required by law to provide storage for firearms but not for tech.

But it's still annoying and (as demonstrated by other counties) unnecessary.

[R L Suehr]

The phone thing is new. They have been very good about firearms in the past. I renewed my license last year and the security was very professional and it went smoothly. In and out in about 15 minutes. The phone thing I could see as a PITA. There is no parking for the courthouse and you have to park on the street or in one of the decks. I'd have been pretty pissed if I walked a couple of blocks to get there and had to go back to my car as well.

[jthrelf]

Can you just stick your phone into the locker with your gun? Bonus of being armed

[mikemac]

You cannot put the device in a locker with or without a firearm. They tell me they do want phones ringing and alarms going off while they are in the lockers and they do not have sufficient lockers to store all of the devices that would be coming through, thus a universal ban.

[Qtrborecrazy]

Does this rule apply to EVERYONE or just pee-ons?

[jtwalker]

Does this rule apply to EVERYONE or just pee-ons?

Hah ... yeah I wonder ...

[shep13]

Does this rule apply to EVERYONE or just pee-ons?

Just us pee-ons. I was told judges, lawyers, cops, and staffers can have theirs with them although it seems they have to abide by the rules for use or risk their jobs.

In talking to a few people it seemed to be a problem with devices getting into the courtrooms and recording proceedings. I guess the signs and admonishments from the court were being ignored?

[donotknowme]

I always found it strange that the court can record but you cannot. There was a case awhile ago where that was an issue but cannot recall it now. I will try to find it.