Commissioners court to vote on resolution to continue gun ban in courthouses

Commissioners court will vote on a resolution to continue the ban of guns at the El Paso County courthouse on Monday.

Currently guns are not allowed inside the courthouse. But Commissioner David Stout tells ABC-7 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent opinion on guns and the state’s new open carry law sparked everyone to evaluate the current situation.

Paxton stated counties could only prohibit guns in quote “the courtroom or those offices essential to the operation of the government court.”

“We decided to defer to the Council of Judges and to the sheriff’s department,” Stout said. “We wanted to make sure we knew what their opinion was.”

Stout said like those two entities, he predicts commissioners court will likely vote to continue the ban on guns in the courtroom. He added if they were allowed, it would be a costly investment for the county.

“At $2-3 million, to be able to put basically check points or revision points for people who may be carrying on every floor or in front of every court room.” Stout said.

Stout said Monday’s vote doesn’t affect all county owned buildings, just the ones that have courtrooms.