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Newton County removes weapon-possession prohibition from employee handbook; commissioners note state and federal laws still apply
Summary
The commissioners voted to remove language in the employee handbook that listed possession of a weapon on county property as a prohibited act; the court discussed that removal does not supersede state or federal firearms laws and that individual offices may set policies.
On Dec. 18 the Newton County Commissioners Court voted to remove the provision in Section 10.10 of the employee handbook that had made possession of a weapon on county property a prohibited act for employees.
Commissioner Pal moved to remove the line and argued the change would protect employees who might lawfully carry for personal defense. Commissioners discussed that state and federal statutes — including courthouse-specific restrictions — continue to govern where firearms are lawful, and that removing the handbook line would not eliminate those laws. One commissioner observed that individual offices could still maintain their own policies.
The motion passed on a recorded voice vote. Court discussion emphasized that the change modifies county policy language but does not alter the legal obligations that apply to employees or visitors under state or federal law.
Next steps: the county will update the employee handbook language to reflect the court’s action and circulate the revised policy to departmental supervisors.
