Ford County Attorney Terry Malone doesn't want his prosecutors toting firearms into the courthouse along with their briefcases and legal pads.
And even though state law now allows the practice, Malone will stick to his policy barring prosecutors from carrying concealed guns into the courthouse or the Ford County Government Center.
'I don't think guns solve any problems, and having more of them around isn't going to make me or anyone else or my staff or assistants any safer — or anybody else,' he told the Globe earlier this month.
Under a new state law, Kansas prosecutors may carry concealed guns inside county courthouses as long as they have a permit and undergo firearms training.
They must also obtain permission from a county attorney, district attorney, attorney general or U.S.
attorney.
Prosecutors who carry concealed weapons are exempt from being charged with criminal discharge of a firearm.
The law applies to county, state and federal prosecutors, although the chief judge in a judicial district can ban guns in the courthouses. County commissions may opt out of the bill's provisions, which took effect July 1.
The measure follows a 2006 law authorizing qualified Kansans to carry concealed weapons as long as they undergo training and obtain a permit. The earlier law banned concealed guns in courthouses — without granting an exception for prosecutors — and in several other locations, including churches and schools.
Malone said he is not a fan of either the original concealed-carry law or the new measure.
'I just think it's unnecessary,' he said. 'We have plenty of protection and security in and around the courthouse and the offices.' Seward County Attorney Don Scott said Friday that he doesn't oppose the new law, but he won't be authorizing his prosecutors to carry concealed weapons into the courthouse.
'We don't have any security in our courthouse, but I don't think prosecutors carrying pistols around will make us any safer,' he said. Finney County Attorney John Wheeler did not return a call seeking comment Friday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408 9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
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Ford County Attorney Terry Malone doesn't want his prosecutors toting firearms into the courthouse along with their briefcases and legal pads.
And even though state law now allows the practice, Malone will stick to his policy barring prosecutors from carrying concealed guns into the courthouse or the Ford County Government Center.
'I don't think guns solve any problems, and having more of them around isn't going to make me or anyone else or my staff or assistants any safer — or anybody else,' he told the Globe earlier this month.
Under a new state law, Kansas prosecutors may carry concealed guns inside county courthouses as long as they have a permit and undergo firearms training.
They must also obtain permission from a county attorney, district attorney, attorney general or U.S.
attorney.
Prosecutors who carry concealed weapons are exempt from being charged with criminal discharge of a firearm.
The law applies to county, state and federal prosecutors, although the chief judge in a judicial district can ban guns in the courthouses. County commissions may opt out of the bill's provisions, which took effect July 1.
The measure follows a 2006 law authorizing qualified Kansans to carry concealed weapons as long as they undergo training and obtain a permit. The earlier law banned concealed guns in courthouses — without granting an exception for prosecutors — and in several other locations, including churches and schools.
Malone said he is not a fan of either the original concealed-carry law or the new measure.
'I just think it's unnecessary,' he said. 'We have plenty of protection and security in and around the courthouse and the offices.' Seward County Attorney Don Scott said Friday that he doesn't oppose the new law, but he won't be authorizing his prosecutors to carry concealed weapons into the courthouse.
'We don't have any security in our courthouse, but I don't think prosecutors carrying pistols around will make us any safer,' he said. Finney County Attorney John Wheeler did not return a call seeking comment Friday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408 9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
