Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, PA: weapons checking

**pex** · August 13th, 2008, 11:15 AM

Someone is asking me about firearms checking at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, PA, and I don't know the answer. If no one knows by 3:30 pm or so, I can probably go check, but if anyone has a quick answer, post here as to whether there are checking boxes (and where they have placed them.)

I know there's a security checkpoint at the front entrance of the courthouse immediately within the door. There is no checkpoint at the building for the sheriff's office, which is a separate building (I don't really know what comprises of a sheriff's office, actually, so maybe that's why there's isn't one for the lobby.)

**Pa. Patriot** · August 13th, 2008, 11:21 AM

I bet the Centre County Court admin could answer this question

Centre County Courthouse
Bellefonte PA 16823-1488
Directions: Map
Phone: (814) 355-6727
Fax: (814) 355-6707
E-mail: moishler@co.centre.pa.us
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

**pex** · August 13th, 2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

I bet the Centre County Court admin could answer this question

That's what I told him. I actually sent him a bunch of info I didn't post here, since I just need an insider to tell us the trust.
Info included the number above, the sheriff's, numbers for the DJs if he mentioned the wrong place, and the commissioners since they may or may not be responsible as the 'county'. I was thinking of calling the Court Admin now, just to see.

There's a few folks in Centre County around here that might be able to give us a field answer from experience rather than a potential set of people who have no idea.

**pex** · August 13th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Court Admin said there were boxes, but wanted to pass me off to the sheriff's office. Desk worker/reception (not sure of their particular status or knowledge) told me there are boxes at both entrances. (There most be another entrance with a checkpoint.)

I made sure I repeated many times that the checkpoint and the boxes are in the same approximate area as she was insinuating, and she seemed to respond in the affirmative.

Would still appreciate a field experience, I suppose.

**Asterix909** · August 13th, 2008, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by pex

(There most be another entrance with a checkpoint.)

Backdoor. Facing the Sheriff's building. That is the most convenient entrance imho- because I have never had trouble finding a parking spot on the street right by it.

**akapjr** · August 14th, 2008, 06:19 PM

I went to centre county courthouse in Bellefonte today.I left gun in car locked up.I went in the front enterance and asked the sheriff guard if there were lockers for weapons.He said yeaaah.I told him where it was and I would like to go get it and lock it up.He said that he did not want it in here,so leave it in the car.I just let it there.Did not want a scene.I left by the rear enterance where I saw a guard sitting by a bunch of lockers.I guess I should have entered that way.

**pex** · August 14th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by akapjr

He said that he did not want it in here,so leave it in the car.

I may decide that I need to make more trips to the Centre County Courthouse with fighting words like that.

**lildobe** · August 15th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by akapjr

He said that he did not want it in here,so leave it in the car.

To which I would have responded "I don't care what YOU want, you are required by law to secure my firearm for me, and I am uncomfortable leaving it in my car. I'll be right back."

Don't let them give you guff!