Senate Measure to Arm Judges Heads to Governor

The governor will soon decide the fate of legislation to ensure judges can protect themselves and others in courthouses by allowing them to carry weapons. That legislation won final passage in the Senate on Tuesday and is now awaiting consideration by Gov. Brad Henry.

"The catalyst for this legislation was a situation that occurred in Tulsa where a judge thought that a defendant had obtained a gun from a bailiff, and so the judge armed himself," said Crain, R-Tulsa. "Luckily, the defendant had not gotten a gun, but the judge's response became highly controversial because current Oklahoma law doesn't give judges the authority to have a gun in the courthouse."

The measure provides that the Administrative Director of the Courts would maintain a list of judges who would be covered under the new law. Judges would also be required to obtain a self-defense license before carrying a concealed weapon into their courtroom.

"Some of our most dangerous citizens are in our courthouses, so it's important that judges have the ability to protect themselves and those in their courtrooms," said Crain. "I hope that Governor Henry will join us in approving this legislation."