Change of Heart About Lehigh County Court House

[Fraggle09027]

Well I always stated I never had a problem with carrying into the Court House until today.

When I arrived I informed the Deputy at the metal detector I had to check my firearm. He was nice and walked me into the sheriffs office to check it.

Once in Captain Kenneth Coia informed me they have a new policy which states only LEO are allowed to use the lock boxes. I was told this time it would be allowed but he is taking my name and if I carry in the court house again........

I asked to speak with the Sheriff but he was not there. Needless to say a letter via certified mail will be on its way.

[Pa. Patriot]

Well I always stated I never had a problem with carrying into the Court House until today.

When I arrived I informed the Deputy at the metal detector I had to check my firearm. He was nice and walked me into the sheriffs office to check it.

Once in Captain Kenneth Coia informed me they have a new policy which states only LEO are allowed to use the lock boxes. I was told this time it would be allowed but he is taking my name and if I carry in the court house again........

I asked to speak with the Sheriff but he was not there. Needless to say a letter via certified mail will be on its way.

Not to Monday morning quarterback, but you should have asked for this new "policy" in writing. Then we have proof of their willful disregard for the law.

I will be calling them Monday and asking to speak to the sheriff.

[Fraggle09027]

Not to Monday morning quarterback, but you should have asked for this new "policy" in writing. Then we have proof of their willful disregard for the law.

I will be calling them Monday and asking to speak to the sheriff.

I called after work today but recieve his answering machine. I am down in the allentown area now but I am going to work on a letter over the weekend.

The part that gets me the most is the rank of the fellow making the statement. I would be more understanding if a new deputy stated that (asuming he was just ignorant of the law), but to have a senior ranking member? I figured he would know the law.

[jahwarrior72]

I called after work today but recieve his answering machine. I am down in the allentown area now but I am going to work on a letter over the weekend.

The part that gets me the most is the rank of the fellow making the statement. I would be more understanding if a new deputy stated that (asuming he was just ignorant of the law), but to have a senior ranking member? I figured he would know the law.

i just spit pepsi all over my shirt.

[pacrimescode5904]

I've said it before I'll say it again. Rossi is no friend of guns.

He tried to make a psych test required prior to issuing a LTCF. I'm suprised he took this long to get draconian on our butts.

[PennsyPlinker]

The part that gets me the most is the rank of the fellow making the statement. I would be more understanding if a new deputy stated that (asuming he was just ignorant of the law), but to have a senior ranking member? I figured he would know the law.

There are deputies in the sheriff's dept who know the law. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be the ones who interact with the public on a regular basis.

[Pa. Patriot]

... I figured he would know the law.

He will, soon.

I've said it before I'll say it again. Rossi is no friend of guns.

He tried to make a psych test required prior to issuing a LTCF. I'm suprised he took this long to get draconian on our butts.

Draconian? More like illegal. We'll just have to get gorilla back at him.

[PennsyPlinker]

He will, soon.



Draconian? More like illegal. We'll just have to get gorilla back at him.

I can't speak for him of course, but I think he knows exactly what the law is. He just doesn't feel like abiding by it.

[GL23]

Going to send this letter on Monday. Any comments or suggestions?

October 10, 2008

Sheriff Ronald W. Rossi
Lehigh County Court House, Room 106
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101-1614

Dear Sheriff Rossi,

I am a member of the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA), however I contact you on my own behalf regarding an incident that occurred today at the Lehigh County Courthouse.

A fellow member of the PAFOA entered the courthouse and informed the deputy stationed at the metal detector that he needed to check a firearm. The deputy then escorted him to your office. Upon entering your office he was informed by Captain Kenneth Coia that the Lehigh County Sheriffs office has a “new policy” that states only law enforcement officers are permitted to use the lock boxes. He further stated he would allow it this time, but he was taking the gentleman’s name, and if he carried to the courthouse again…….

Perhaps Captain Coia is not familiar with 18 Pa.C.S. §913e. §913e requires that court facilities make available “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.”

If the lock boxes within your office are reserved for law enforcement use only, I would ask that your deputies escort persons in need of checking firearms and other dangerous weapons to the proper lockers or similar facilities for use by the general public.

State law requires these facilities. Persons in need of storage should not be harassed or intimidated by your deputies. As the Sheriff of Lehigh County, your office is required to administer the use of such storage facilities.

I am enclosing a copy of 18 Pa.C.S. §913 so you can review it with your personnel. In the future, I expect the checking of firearms and other dangerous weapons to be completed in a more professional manner.

Awaiting your response, I remain,

Most respectfully yours,

[HiredGoon]

I will be calling them Monday and asking to speak to the sheriff.

He probably won't be there...Columbus Day holiday