CLEBURNE -- Voicing concern about lack of security in the historic Johnson County Courthouse, county commissioners voted unanimously this week to allow elected officials and employees who have concealed handgun licenses to carry their weapons in the building.
Members of the public still may not enter the building with a gun, even with a license.And officials and employees cannot take their guns into the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace courtroom or office, which is in the same building.They also cannot take their guns to the Guinn Justice Center where the county's district courts are located. The sheriff's department provides security there, and there are metal detectors in the justice center.County Judge Roger Harmon, who proposed allowing handguns in the office areas of the courthouse, said he is concerned about employees and their safety."I was really concerned about my employees if something were to arise," Harmon said. "We'd never really talked about security at the courthouse."When asked if the order was a reaction to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, Harmon said, "This is something we should have done sooner."Harmon, who has a concealed handgun license, said he doesn't know how many employees or elected officials have such licenses.Elected officials included in the order are city council members from Johnson County cities, school board members from the county and state elected officials.Tarrant County has taken a similar approach. There are no restrictions on concealed weapon permit holders in county buildings except for those that contain a courtroom, said David Phillips, director of facilities management.In the Family Law Center in downtown Fort Worth, for example, even peace officers who are there on personal business are not allowed to carry concealed weapons, he said Wednesday.Also, guns are banned in the Community Supervision and Corrections Department on Miller Avenue.Staff writer Steve Campbell contributed to this report.Elizabeth Campbell,817-390-7696Twitter: @fwstlizHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
