I was selected for jury duty and on the form I had to fill out was a note in bold which said something to the effect of "all dangerous weapons including guns, knives, etc, are prohibited in the court facility and must be left in your car"
My problem with this statement, is that it seems to conflict with this law:
I am not sure who to contact in the court which is in the Norristown municiple building, but I assume it wont be easy as the court itself seems to think that it is either above the law, or has found some way around this law. My problem really lies in the fact that its jury duty and its not optional, so its not as if I can tell them Im not going to come if they dont allow me to lock up my firearm, but there is no way I am leaving my gun in the car, and I dont appreciate them ignoring the state law either. I am also sure I will encounter resistance from the police who check your ID and require you to pass through metal detector at the court entrance. Any suggestions??
Anyone dealt this this type of thing in Pennsylvania, or another state with a similar law?
My problem with this statement, is that it seems to conflict with this law:
§ 913. Possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in court facility.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if he:
knowingly possesses a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a court facility or knowingly causes a firearm or other dangerous weapon to be present in a court facility; or
knowingly possesses a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a court facility with the intent that the firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime or knowingly causes a firearm or other dangerous weapon to be present in a court facility with the intent that the firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime.
(b) Grading.--
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), an offense under subsection (a)(1) is a misdemeanor of the third degree.
An offense under subsection (a)(2) is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a summary offense if the person was carrying a firearm under section 6106(b) (relating to firearms not to be carried without a license) or 6109 (relating to licenses) and failed to check the firearm under subsection (e) prior to entering the court facility.
(c) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to:
The lawful performance of official duties by an officer, agent or employee of the United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of any violation of law.
The lawful performance of official duties by a court official.
The carrying of rifles and shotguns by instructors and participants in a course of instruction provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission under 34 Pa.C.S. § 2704 (relating to eligibility for license).
Associations of veteran soldiers and their auxiliaries or members of organized armed forces of the United States or the Commonwealth, including reserve components, when engaged in the performance of ceremonial duties with county approval.
The carrying of a dangerous weapon or firearm unloaded and in a secure wrapper by an attorney who seeks to employ the dangerous weapon or firearm as an exhibit or as a demonstration and who possesses written authorization from the court to bring the dangerous weapon or firearm into the court facility.
(d) Posting of notice.--Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (e) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each courthouse or other building containing a court facility and each court facility, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a)(1) with respect to a court facility if the notice was not so posted at each public entrance to the courthouse or other building containing a court facility and at the court facility unless the person had actual notice of the provisions of subsection (a).
(e) Facilities for checking firearms or other dangerous weapons.--Each county shall make available at or within the building containing the court facility by July 1, 2002, lockers or similar facilities at no charge or cost for the temporary checking of firearms by persons carrying firearms under section 6106(b) or 6109 or for the checking of other dangerous weapons that are not otherwise prohibited by law. Any individual checking a firearm, dangerous weapon or an item deemed to be a dangerous weapon at a court facility must be issued a receipt. Notice of the location of the facility shall be posted as required under subsection (d).
(f) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
I am not sure who to contact in the court which is in the Norristown municiple building, but I assume it wont be easy as the court itself seems to think that it is either above the law, or has found some way around this law. My problem really lies in the fact that its jury duty and its not optional, so its not as if I can tell them Im not going to come if they dont allow me to lock up my firearm, but there is no way I am leaving my gun in the car, and I dont appreciate them ignoring the state law either. I am also sure I will encounter resistance from the police who check your ID and require you to pass through metal detector at the court entrance. Any suggestions??
Anyone dealt this this type of thing in Pennsylvania, or another state with a similar law?