X-Ray Machines or Concealed Weapons for Courthouse Security

March 30, 2010

By Rebecca Gannon

(HUTCHINSON and NEWTON, Kan.)

X-Ray machines, or people carrying guns. Which would you prefer to keep you safe? Lawmakers are debating a plan to let people with carry and conceal permits take guns into certain Kansas courthouses.

Our exclusive Fact Finder 12 Scientific Survey found 79-percent of Kansans are against the idea of bringing concealed weapons into courthouses, but 20-percent support the plan.

The Reno County Courthouse was built in 1930, decades before X-Ray machines provided security in any courthouses. And after nearly a decade of trying to get an X-Ray machine in his courthouse, he may have succeeded.

"I got kind of a call from heaven this morning when I got a call from the U-S Marshal," said Sheriff Randy Henderson. "We have been selected to get at least one, possibly two x-ray machines."

The X-Ray argument came to a head when, in the last three months, three weapons (a grenade and two loaded guns) made it into Reno County Courtrooms. At least, Henderson knows of three.

"How many times do we have guns come into the courthouse?" asked Sheriff Henderson. "We've been lucky. I can't say anything other than that."

But many other Kansas courtrooms in other courthouses don't have X-Ray machines.

A bill before the Kansas Senate -- it already passed the house -- would allow people with conceal and carry permits to carry guns in buildings that don't have electronic detection equipment. Like the Harvey County Courthouse.

"But I think there are going to have to be some facilities that are off-limits for all handguns," said Chip Westfall. He is a former Kansas Highway Patrolman, and current Harvey County Commissioner.

"People need to come to the central point of the government in the county," said Westfall, "and feel safe that the person seated next to them in a court room or commission room or doing business at one of our offices is not carrying a weapon."

The bill still has to go to a vote in the Senate. But if it passes and becomes a law, signs like these that do not allow guns inside the building would have to come down at state, county, and city buildings. Unless there was adequate security inside.

|

|

|