Gaines County Court House

[G.A. Heath]

Gaines County Texas is my home, and I learned that the commissioners court was debating the posting of signage at the court house. So I attended today's commissioners meeting and made my voice heard. They currently believe that the county judge and two other judges that typically use the court house might be able to sign off on a mutual finding that the entire court house is not a multi-function building but all space is utilized by the courts and is off limits per 46.03.. The logic in support of this is that each office in the court house is subject to court orders thereby making them an office of the court and the hallways are off limits because the CPS court uses them from time to time. They also believe that the hallway just outside the courts and court offices are part of the court.

I provided them with a crude presentation (I did not have time to prepare a proper one), Warned them if they posted in violation of the fines for signs law I would file the complaint, and added that once the violation had not been cured in 15 days of the AGs office contacting them the fines would start. I also explained with 3 doors that they were likely to post they would be liable for more than $900,000 after 31 days. That got their attention, they also state at least one judge is uncomfortable with Open Carry but doesn't mind Concealed Carry.

[RossA]

Good job! Let us know what they decide.

[G.A. Heath]

They will decide to post, although it will not be an actual 30.06 or 30.07 sign because they are too ugly.

I have plans for an Open Records Request to gain at least one document that I am certain will be useful in this case and elsewhere. I do not plan to win this battle, that will fall to the AG should he have the time and decide tofollow up on it. I am looking at getting something far more valuable from it.

[mr surveyor]

I'd be happy to not be slammed into the wall like a terrorist for carrying a 1" keychain knife as far as the metal detector in the Rusk County Courthouse

jd

[G.A. Heath]

I went to the commissioners court meeting, the county judge wrote up and presented his "46.03" finding document to the other judges and one refused to sign off because they felt it went beyond what the law allowed. The County Judge asked said judge to mark out what they objected to and was left with only the court and chambers. With the third floor not subject to a ban supported by the presiding judge the commissioners had to decide if they were comfortable posting the entirety, something the County Judge warned them they would be subject to penalties over while he looked at me. They then began discussing how they could "protect their employees" with no gun ban, and a reference was made to other counties allowing employees to carry so in the next meeting the issue of employee carry will be addressed with the intention that employees be able to do so.

The bad news is that the document I really wanted to get my hands on does not exist and will not exist, but the good news is that the court house itself will not be posted but the court rooms and judges chambers will be while the non-applicable gun busters signs at the entrances will go away. Additionally it looks like the commissioners court might start posting their meetings, however that is not set in stone. The best news in my opinion is the fact that Employees of Gaines County with a license could soon be able to carry firearms while at work.

[SC1903A3]

Bravo

[ELB]

Bravo

Indeed!

[Jusme]

Great job!! I wish I had the time to attend some of these meetings, I know that the majority of the time they rely on the fact that the meetings will be poorly attended and that the odds that there will be an LTC advocate there is greatly diminished. I also believe, that many of these commissioners courts are not fully educated on the law and feel that whatever consensus they reach is the final say on the matter.
Glad you were there to not only educate but put forth opinions that will help LTC holders in your area.