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Commissioners approve posting Texas Penal Code signs to bar weapons at Young County Courthouse
Summary
The court approved posting signs citing Texas Penal Code sections that prohibit carrying firearms at the courthouse entrances; the court said the move is intended to protect employees and visitors and to allow sheriff's deputies to enforce restrictions and maintain an authorized-carry list.
The Young County Commissioners Court approved posting signs at each courthouse entrance that cite Texas Penal Code provisions prohibiting weapons in the courthouse. The court framed the step as a first measure to improve courthouse safety now that several offices that handle court business have moved into the downtown courthouse building.
The signs the court approved reference Texas Penal Code provisions that allow property owners and certain public entities to prohibit firearms from specified premises. The presiding officer said the county intends the signs to make carrying a weapon in the courthouse a criminal offense unless a person is on an authorized list maintained by the sheriff.
"By posting these signs, it makes it...a criminal offense if somebody carries a weapon in the courthouse," the presiding officer said during the discussion. The court discussed plans for the sheriff to keep a list of individuals permitted to carry in the courthouse and for periodic firearms qualification for those listed; the sheriff also has said the county is seeking broader security upgrades, including reconfiguring entrances and pursuing metal-detector grants.
A member of the public objected to relying on signage alone, saying signs do not prevent someone intent on harm from bringing a weapon. The presiding officer and sheriff responded that signs are an initial step and that deputies and bailiffs would use the posting to justify additional security actions when necessary.
The motion to post the three signs passed; the record shows a 4-0 vote and indicates one member did not vote on the item. The court directed staff to obtain appropriately sized signs and to begin the process of implementing the authorized-carry list and other security measures.
