JUDGE RULES TO UPHOLD WALLER COUNTY COURTHOUSE GUN BAN

  

A state district court judge upheld Waller County’s decision to prohibit guns in its courthouse, delivering a legal victory to the county Monday.

Judge Albert McCraig Jr. says the county is justified in banning firearms in the entire building, which includes administrative offices, rather than only in rooms specifically related to court duties.

The issue centers around a provision of Texas’ open carry law that took effect in January. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and numerous local governments disagree over what qualifies for the exemption. Local officials have argued that if any part of a government building is used by a court, it should be exempt. Paxton has said the ban only pertains to the spaces used specifically by the court.

In the Waller County Case, Terry Holcomb Sr., the founder of the group Texas Carry, wrote to the county in May to request that it remove signs that say firearms are not allowed in the courthouse in Hempstead. Holcomb said if the signs were not removed, he would notify the attorney general.

Instead of removing the signs, Waller County filed a suit against Holcomb in July in the 506th District Court. Holcomb then counter-sued, and Paxton brought a suit against Waller County as well in August.

McCraig’s ruling resolves the local suit between the county and Holcomb, however Holcomb says he’s already in the works of appealing the ruling.

The suit that Paxton filed remains open.