RebelWolf
Regular Member
So I was at the courthouse doing some research on a felony case that I'm writing a paper on. I was leaving and since I usually carry a CCW, I asked the security guard (Sheriff Deputy) about the policy on weapons check-in at the front (there are metal detectors). He told me to just knock on the glass and inform the officer(s) that I had a weapon to check in, and they would lock it up in the security boxes. Since CRS 18-12-214 says that: "(c) Security personnel require each person who is carrying a weapon of any kind to leave the weapon in possession of security personnel while the person is in the building." This seemed reasonable.
Well... It didn't go so well. Here is a letter that I'm submitting to the Sheriff. Let me know what y'all think.
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I had an incident at the court house today with one of your deputies. Really this started on Wednesday the 5th. I had come in on Wednesday and asked one of deputies at the front "gate" area what the policy on concealed firearms at the courthouse was (I don't remember his name, but I was in the courthouse around 3:45pm-4:30pm). He informed me that the officers would hold the weapon at the front, in a locked box if one was brought in, and just to knock on the glass and inform the officers that I had a weapon.
Today, Friday the 7th at about 9:30am, I followed the "procedure" stated on Wednesday, and was immediately greeted with resistance, and disrespect. The officer, told me to take the weapon back out to the car, because they "didn't want to deal with it." I told him what I was told on Wednesday, and he responded by asking where my car was. After letting him know I was a bit confused now, he told me to come on through the gate, and reluctantly stored the weapon in the locker. On my way out of the court house, I was again scolded for bringing in the weapon, and told that when an officer tells me to do something, to do it. At the very end of the "encounter" I was told that only Law-enforcement was allowed to utilize the weapons storage area. If I was told this at the beginning, there would have been no issue. Deputy Rowe also informed me that he didn't tell me this at first, because "they were to busy." There was one person in front of me, and at the time, none behind me. While checking in my weapon, two or three people came in.
The Deputy was very rude in this encounter, and I did not appreciate the way he handled the situation at all. He seemed to have a "superiority complex," and enjoyed "talking down" to me during this encounter. While waiting to retrieve my weapon (on my way out) I observed him, in my opinion, harassing other people entering the facility. One person was told that they shouldn't we are a particular pair of pants into the courthouse, because there was to much metal in them. He presented himself in a way that was disrespectful to me, other individuals, and reflects poorly on your agency.
I did discuss this issue with the Sergeant that is in charge of the courthouse, and he also stated that the storage area was for "law enforcement only." When I brought the issue of the Deputy's behavior, I didn't feel completely satisfied with the response. He seemed to try to defuse the Deputy's behavior, saying that the Deputy was "direct," but not rude. He did tell me that he would address the issue, however I felt that a written complaint to you was/is in order, to further address this issue. I would like to point out again that on Wednesday I was told that "policy" is to check the weapon in at the front, Not lock it in the car. These types of inconsistencies are how law abiding citizens (like myself) get into these types of situations. This must be addressed.
I have not found any policy regarding this issue online, and would like a written copy of this policy. Although I'm sure you are aware, I would like to site a couple State Statues for you to review on the notification process that is required by the state, in order to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in the building. I would recommend posting signs, should you not want open cary in the building.
C.R.S 29-11.7-104. Regulation - carrying - posting.
A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government's jurisdiction. If a local government enacts an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area, the local government shall post signs at the public entrances to the building or specific area informing persons that the open carrying of firearms is prohibited in the building or specific area.
Source: L. 2003: Entire article added, p. 653, § 2, effective March 18
As to my situation, according to CRS 18-12-214, myself, (and anyone carrying a concealed weapon) is required by law to leave the weapon with security personal. It does not state that only Law Enforcement is able to utilize this "feature," if you will.
18-12-214. Authority granted by permit - carrying restrictions.
(4) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into a public building at which:
(a) Security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices are permanently in place at each entrance to the building;
(b) Security personnel electronically screen each person who enters the building to determine whether the person is carrying a weapon of any kind; and
(c) Security personnel require each person who is carrying a weapon of any kind to leave the weapon in possession of security personnel while the person is in the building.
The state recognizes that there is an inconsistency with firearm regulation:
"29-11.7-101. Legislative declaration.
(b) It is necessary to provide statewide laws concerning the possession and ownership of a firearm to ensure that law-abiding persons are not unfairly placed in the position of unknowingly committing crimes involving firearms.
Source: L. 2003: Entire article added, p. 652, § 2, effective March 18."
I would like to close in saying that I have not had any issues with your Deputies before, however the Deputy mentioned above dose put a sour taste in my mouth. I can understand why some of the people I meet say the things they do about the local Sheriff, when the only contact they have might be this deputy or others like him. I would like to resolve this matter with you directly, my contact information is provided below, but I would also like a formal apology from the Deputy about his rude behavior, followed with remedial training on how to deal politely with "civilians."
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And that sums it up. What do y'all think?
My email is *edited out*
RebelWolf
Well... It didn't go so well. Here is a letter that I'm submitting to the Sheriff. Let me know what y'all think.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had an incident at the court house today with one of your deputies. Really this started on Wednesday the 5th. I had come in on Wednesday and asked one of deputies at the front "gate" area what the policy on concealed firearms at the courthouse was (I don't remember his name, but I was in the courthouse around 3:45pm-4:30pm). He informed me that the officers would hold the weapon at the front, in a locked box if one was brought in, and just to knock on the glass and inform the officers that I had a weapon.
Today, Friday the 7th at about 9:30am, I followed the "procedure" stated on Wednesday, and was immediately greeted with resistance, and disrespect. The officer, told me to take the weapon back out to the car, because they "didn't want to deal with it." I told him what I was told on Wednesday, and he responded by asking where my car was. After letting him know I was a bit confused now, he told me to come on through the gate, and reluctantly stored the weapon in the locker. On my way out of the court house, I was again scolded for bringing in the weapon, and told that when an officer tells me to do something, to do it. At the very end of the "encounter" I was told that only Law-enforcement was allowed to utilize the weapons storage area. If I was told this at the beginning, there would have been no issue. Deputy Rowe also informed me that he didn't tell me this at first, because "they were to busy." There was one person in front of me, and at the time, none behind me. While checking in my weapon, two or three people came in.
The Deputy was very rude in this encounter, and I did not appreciate the way he handled the situation at all. He seemed to have a "superiority complex," and enjoyed "talking down" to me during this encounter. While waiting to retrieve my weapon (on my way out) I observed him, in my opinion, harassing other people entering the facility. One person was told that they shouldn't we are a particular pair of pants into the courthouse, because there was to much metal in them. He presented himself in a way that was disrespectful to me, other individuals, and reflects poorly on your agency.
I did discuss this issue with the Sergeant that is in charge of the courthouse, and he also stated that the storage area was for "law enforcement only." When I brought the issue of the Deputy's behavior, I didn't feel completely satisfied with the response. He seemed to try to defuse the Deputy's behavior, saying that the Deputy was "direct," but not rude. He did tell me that he would address the issue, however I felt that a written complaint to you was/is in order, to further address this issue. I would like to point out again that on Wednesday I was told that "policy" is to check the weapon in at the front, Not lock it in the car. These types of inconsistencies are how law abiding citizens (like myself) get into these types of situations. This must be addressed.
I have not found any policy regarding this issue online, and would like a written copy of this policy. Although I'm sure you are aware, I would like to site a couple State Statues for you to review on the notification process that is required by the state, in order to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in the building. I would recommend posting signs, should you not want open cary in the building.
C.R.S 29-11.7-104. Regulation - carrying - posting.
A local government may enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area within the local government's jurisdiction. If a local government enacts an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the open carrying of a firearm in a building or specific area, the local government shall post signs at the public entrances to the building or specific area informing persons that the open carrying of firearms is prohibited in the building or specific area.
Source: L. 2003: Entire article added, p. 653, § 2, effective March 18
As to my situation, according to CRS 18-12-214, myself, (and anyone carrying a concealed weapon) is required by law to leave the weapon with security personal. It does not state that only Law Enforcement is able to utilize this "feature," if you will.
18-12-214. Authority granted by permit - carrying restrictions.
(4) A permit issued pursuant to this part 2 does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into a public building at which:
(a) Security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices are permanently in place at each entrance to the building;
(b) Security personnel electronically screen each person who enters the building to determine whether the person is carrying a weapon of any kind; and
(c) Security personnel require each person who is carrying a weapon of any kind to leave the weapon in possession of security personnel while the person is in the building.
The state recognizes that there is an inconsistency with firearm regulation:
"29-11.7-101. Legislative declaration.
(b) It is necessary to provide statewide laws concerning the possession and ownership of a firearm to ensure that law-abiding persons are not unfairly placed in the position of unknowingly committing crimes involving firearms.
Source: L. 2003: Entire article added, p. 652, § 2, effective March 18."
I would like to close in saying that I have not had any issues with your Deputies before, however the Deputy mentioned above dose put a sour taste in my mouth. I can understand why some of the people I meet say the things they do about the local Sheriff, when the only contact they have might be this deputy or others like him. I would like to resolve this matter with you directly, my contact information is provided below, but I would also like a formal apology from the Deputy about his rude behavior, followed with remedial training on how to deal politely with "civilians."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And that sums it up. What do y'all think?
My email is *edited out*
RebelWolf
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