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King County Courthouse RCW 9.41.300

XD45PlusP

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Visited the courthouse at 516 3rd Ave Seattle today, and noticed that there was no lockbox to stash your firearm in. Went through metal detectors and came up to the deputy and I asked him about them, and he said we dont have that here......

Has there been a change, or is this deputy misinformed, or just simply does not know? Also, in order to talk with said deputy, you have to clear the metal detector first, so how could you even say you've got a firearm to check in?

Would you say it to the rent a ninja's while standing in line for the metal detector? :cuss:

Seems they would put you down fast if you informed them of having a gun....

Anybody know what the deal is?

XD
 

just_a_car

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Well, if they have 'designated individual' to receive, hold onto, and take on all liabilities of being in possession of your firearm, then they are meeting the requirements of the law. Lockboxes are not required, but are the easiest solution for most departments/courts

In addition, the local legislative authority shall provide either a stationary locked box sufficient in size for pistols and key to a weapon owner for weapon storage, or shall designate an official to receive weapons for safekeeping, during the owner's visit to restricted areas of the building. The locked box or designated official shall be located within the same building used in connection with court proceedings. The local legislative authority shall be liable for any negligence causing damage to or loss of a weapon either placed in a locked box or left with an official during the owner's visit to restricted areas of the building.
-RCW 9.41.300.
 

XD45PlusP

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just_a_car wrote:
Well, if they have 'designated individual' to receive, hold onto, and take on all liabilities of being in possession of your firearm, then they are meeting the requirements of the law. Lockboxes are not required, but are the easiest solution for most departments/courts

In addition, the local legislative authority shall provide either a stationary locked box sufficient in size for pistols and key to a weapon owner for weapon storage, or shall designate an official to receive weapons for safekeeping, during the owner's visit to restricted areas of the building. The locked box or designated official shall be located within the same building used in connection with court proceedings. The local legislative authority shall be liable for any negligence causing damage to or loss of a weapon either placed in a locked box or left with an official during the owner's visit to restricted areas of the building.
-RCW 9.41.300.

just_a_car thanks for the response, but I was just shocked when I asked this deputy, and he just said we dont dont havethat here, and he looked like he was in a hurry so I wasn't gonna get into a long conversation with him about it, and ask if they hold onto it or what... Maybe I should have....

XD
 

XD45PlusP

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I dont feel comfortable telling the rent a ninja's at the metal detector that I have a gun that they need to hold onto... But hey if that's how its done then so be it?

Has anybody had this experience at the main KC Courthouse?

I searched the forums and most people said that you inform the deputy, but in order to get to "The" deputy, you have to get through the metal detector first.

Catch 22?

XD
 

FMCDH

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Its been a few months (first week of March) since I was there at the downtown courthouse, but they did have lock boxes there, I used them and all I had to do was inform the person at the metal detector i needed to "check a firearm" and they got a deputy for me.

Its a bit of a lengthy process, as in about 5 minutes to finish the check in, but it was painless.
 

joshmmm

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I have used the lockboxes at the KC courthouse many times. You MUST enter on 3rd avenue, not the 4th avenue entrance. Simply walk up to the double wide doors (inside the lobby) on the left hand side. Motion to the deputy standing about 4 feetdiagonally to the right behind the doors. He/She will remotely open the door. Inform him/her that you need to check a concealed pistol. They will then have a "runner" (armed KC courthouse deputy) escort you to their office in the middle of the building. There are several lockboxes and they have a binder where theyrecord your name. They then escort you back to the front and either have you walk through (if it isn't busy) or they hand wand you (usually in mornings and after lunch).

They are very good about it... butexpect usually about 7-10 minutes, up to 15 if you time it poorly...


*I have informed the rentacops at the metal detector before, they simply inform the deputy for you, who then opens those doors... so really no need to involve them, but they don't mind as it is very common...
 

Statkowski

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Inform him/her that you need to check a concealed pistol. They will then have a "runner" (armed KC courthouse deputy) escort you to their office in the middle of the building. There are several lockboxes and they have a binder where theyrecord your name. They then escort you back to the front and either have you walk through (if it isn't busy) or they hand wand you (usually in mornings and after lunch).
So, what a few people ought to do is arrive two or three minutes apart, each having to check in a firearm.

Point out it would make more sense, and make their job a lot easier, if the lockboxes were located where they were needed, at the entrance, instead of halfway inside the building.
 

dac844

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if only we had a reason to go to the court house. i think that after a couple of days of 10-15 of us coming in there as a group, they would find a different solution, but then again, this solution isn't so bad, at least they are professional and accommodating.
 

deanf

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Why mess with the KCSO? They are one of the least hostile LE agencies towards OC or firearms in general.

They don't have that many people checking guns, and their system works well. To even entertain the idea of some stupid mass passive/aggressive protest of a non-problem is very shortsighted and an embarrassment to the movement.
 

antispam540

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deanf wrote:
Why mess with the KCSO? They are one of the least hostile LE agencies towards OC or firearms in general.

They don't have that many people checking guns, and their system works well. To even entertain the idea of some stupid mass passive/aggressive protest of a non-problem is very shortsighted and an embarrassment to the movement.
+1

Let's reserve such tactics for more extreme issues - like an illegal Seattle "gun ban"
 

Charles Paul Lincoln

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deanf wrote:
Why mess with the KCSO? They are one of the least hostile LE agencies towards OC or firearms in general.

They don't have that many people checking guns, and their system works well. To even entertain the idea of some stupid mass passive/aggressive protest of a non-problem is very shortsighted and an embarrassment to the movement.

+100

Why does it always have to be a battle? They are securing a weapon that in most cases has significant value -- it is reasonable that it takes a few minutes. A protest would get nowhere, and only leave a bad impression of gun owners in general. If you think the system can be improved, there is much more to be gained by a polite letter to Sheriff Rahr.

Charles
 

FMCDH

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+1 for each of you three.

KCSO is not the problem. Having OCed around them almost weekly in my own town, they have to be one of the most well trained and restrained LEAs in the state.

IMHO
 

44Brent

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If only every court house in every state was set up like King County Courthouse, things would be greatly improved. I don't know why someone is complaining about King County Courthouse.
 

XD45PlusP

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44Brent wrote:
If only every court house in every state was set up like King County Courthouse, things would be greatly improved. I don't know why someone is complaining about King County Courthouse.

I dont think I was complaining, I was just commenting on how the particular deputy at the time I went to the courthouse didn't seem to know about what the procedure was. I only wanted to gather input from other members here about their experiences.

XD
 

hongkong2

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The officers at the KC court house are first class, very gun friendly and professional, I've never had any problems there. I did have to go to the Municipal court a few weeks ago and that was a horrible experience! I walked up to the detector area and held up my CCW as I normally do at the KC court house. The officer comes up to me and I tell him that I'm carrying and need to check in, he immeadiatly put his hand in the middle of my chest and shoved me back up against the glass. He then asks me where's my gun (S&W 442 in a Kramer pocket holster) so I told him it's in my right hand pocket and my spare ammo is in my left hand pocket, he pulls both out and tells me to follow him. We finish up at his little podium and I go on to take care of my business. When I return for my gun he gives it to me in a brown paper bag and tells me that it's now unloaded and I'd better not be taking it out in the building to load it! I asked him why did he unload it and he said because he didn't want to get shot...... He also said that if were up to him guns would not be allowed in the building so I told him I was very happy that it was not up to him. When I got outside I went behind some plantings and reloaded. Next time I go there I'll be sure to also carry my Kimber, that will really yank his chain.
 

jchen012

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hongkong2 wrote:
The officers at the KC court house are first class, very gun friendly and professional, I've never had any problems there. I did have to go to the Municipal court a few weeks ago and that was a horrible experience! I walked up to the detector area and held up my CCW as I normally do at the KC court house. The officer comes up to me and I tell him that I'm carrying and need to check in, he immeadiatly put his hand in the middle of my chest and shoved me back up against the glass. He then asks me where's my gun (S&W 442 in a Kramer pocket holster) so I told him it's in my right hand pocket and my spare ammo is in my left hand pocket, he pulls both out and tells me to follow him. We finish up at his little podium and I go on to take care of my business. When I return for my gun he gives it to me in a brown paper bag and tells me that it's now unloaded and I'd better not be taking it out in the building to load it! I asked him why did he unload it and he said because he didn't want to get shot...... He also said that if were up to him guns would not be allowed in the building so I told him I was very happy that it was not up to him. When I got outside I went behind some plantings and reloaded. Next time I go there I'll be sure to also carry my Kimber, that will really yank his chain.
WOW that is a complete 180 experience I had. When I had to go to Muni, I informed the Marshal that I had a concealed firearm. He didn't even ask to see my CHL. Just said to follow him to the elevator and down we went to the Marshal area and he opened a box for me and never touched my weapon. I personally took my handgun out and placed it in the box and he locked it. I signed in the log book and he gave a receipt and we went back up and through the metal detectors. A very professional experience. Sorry to hear about your case...
 

TechnoWeenie

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hongkong2 wrote:
The officers at the KC court house are first class, very gun friendly and  professional,  I've never had any problems there.  I did have to go to the Municipal court a few weeks ago and that was a horrible experience!  I walked up to the detector area and held up my CCW as I normally do at the KC court house.  The officer comes up to me and I tell him that I'm carrying and need to check in, he immeadiatly put his hand in the middle of my chest and shoved me back up against the glass.  He then asks me where's my gun (S&W 442 in a  Kramer pocket holster) so I told him it's in my right hand pocket and my spare ammo is in my left hand pocket, he pulls both out and tells me to follow him.  We finish up at his little podium and I go on to take care of my business.  When I return for my gun he gives it  to me in a brown paper bag and tells me that it's now unloaded and I'd better not be taking it out in the building to load it!  I asked him why did he unload it and he said because he didn't want to get shot......   He also said that if were up to him guns would not be allowed in the building so I told him I was very happy that it was not up to him.  When I got outside I went behind some plantings and reloaded.  Next time I go there I'll be sure to also carry my Kimber, that will really yank his chain.

File a complaint.

Furthermore, those premises are recorded 24/7, submit a FOIA request for the tapes and hope they werent already destroyed.
 
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