Commissioners mull arming some courthouse staff

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County commissioners have requested legal counsel to look into if elected officials can conceal carry firearms in the courthouse.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor and County Attorney Tevis Hull said at the Feb. 21 commissioners meeting that from Idaho statute that allows peace officers or security guards activating in their employment are allowed to carry weapons.

Currently at the Boundary County Courthouse this would include police officers and other law enforcement coming to testify or on office matters and include the bailiff, who acts as security to the courthouse.

Hull added that in part “c” of the statute (18-33) states also allows for “any person who is authorized to carry a weapon by a person, board or other entity having authority over the building of facility.”

The stature refers to “any person obtaining a license under the provisions of section.” Hull said commissioners would not be obtaining a license, rather they are the board with the authority over the building and could appoint persons to be armed.

Commissioner Ben Robertson asked Hull if the commissioners or any elected officer could conceal carry in the courthouse. He said for added security he would like to conceal carry, adding that the courthouse has some security issues.

Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer was present for the discussion and said he was not opposed to the commissioners selecting members of courthouse staff to be designated concealed carriers for security. He added that if this were to happen, the BCSO would provide training courses on use of force and other necessary training.

Hull added that if commissioners were to do this they’d want a strongly written policy and should reach out to ICRMP, or the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program which insures the county first.