Judge arms herself amid safety fears

**Five-0** · 12-26-09, 11:58 PM

Interested on everyone's take on this:

Jefferson County judge arms herself amid safety fears | Stories from The Birmingham News - al.com

Jefferson County judge arms herself amid safety fears

By Erin Stock -- The Birmingham News

December 26, 2009, 5:32AM

Jefferson County Domestic Judge Suzanne Childers keeps a can of pepper spray next to the gavel in her courtroom. A diminished level of security at the courthouse also has prompted her to keep the gun seen on her desk in her courtroom. (Joe Songer/Birmingham News)Jefferson County Domestic Relations Judge Suzanne Childers was hearing a child support case a few weeks ago when she became afraid for two female attorneys in the courtroom and set off her panic device.
It took 40 minutes before anyone arrived in response to her call, Childers said.

**Bob Loblaw** · 12-27-09, 12:38 AM

40 minutes?!?!?!?!?!? If she's a responsible gun owner, the by all means. If all of the John Q's in this country would responsibly carry a gun, then I think it'd be safer.

A slight aside, though....it's probably just a photo op, but it doesn't feel all that responsible to keep your gun on your desk, especially if your "office" is an open courtroom.

**sgtbear111** · 12-27-09, 12:49 AM

Judges carry a gun for the same reason other people do. An old California case seems to make the point.
Harold Haley at AllExperts
Harold Haley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NW Republican: Judge Harold Haley, R.I.P.

Interesting about the "who" on that case, on that day.
Nation: Justice: A Bad Week for the Good Guys - TIME
TIME magazine has been re-defining "truth" a long time.

I have met attorneys and Judges who "pack" in the courtrooms, but I forgot who they are and where that was. They have the right, and the need, just as every law abiding citizen; may they never forget we ALL have that right.

**pgg** · 12-27-09, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by sgtbear111

I have met attorneys and Judges who "pack" in the courtrooms, but I forgot who they are and where that was. They have the right, and the need, just as every law abiding citizen; may they never forget we ALL have that right.

Sadly I think alot of them have

**TXCharlie** · 12-27-09, 02:24 AM

My sister used to carry a .357 Magnum to court, and to law school. She was a family practice lawyer, and most of the court buildings either didn't have metal detectors at that time, or else she went in the back employee doors in the buildings, bypassing the metal detectors I think.

The judge would be smarter to have a hip holster - What's to prevent an athletic defendant from jumping across the table, running up and grabbing her gun before anyone has time to react? It would make me nervous as Hell worrying about the defendant or a friend in the crowd grabbing the gun while the judge is distracted by a witness or something, if it's just laying there on the bench in the open.

**MacLean** · 12-27-09, 03:25 AM

Judges here can carry, although few do.

For the little foibles - if she were my judge I'd train her.

**jmur5074** · 12-27-09, 03:58 AM

Good for her, but her weapon retention is horrible. The article says she keeps the gun seen on her desk.

**Second Chance** · 12-27-09, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Good for her, but her weapon retention is horrible. The article says she keeps the gun seen on her desk.

She will keep it there until someone grabs it and shows here the meaning of gun retention, one last time..........

**Xiphos** · 12-27-09, 10:14 AM

I agree with everyone else, great she has it but a stupid place to keep it...

**triggerpull** · 12-27-09, 11:35 AM

Seems to me she probably doesn't have the mindset to use the weapon, so she instead uses it as a deterrent by putting it in plain view. Obviously not the smartest thing, especially with a revolver.

**lewisipso** · 12-27-09, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by triggerpull

Seems to me she probably doesn't have the mindset to use the weapon, so she instead uses it as a deterrent by putting it in plain view. Obviously not the smartest thing, especially with a revolver.

I would have to initially agree. The mainstream mindset of gun ownership focuses more on the right to own a firearm instead of the ability to use one. There is ownership and then there is responsible ownership. Keeping a firearm on the desk is ridiculous and no responsible firearm owner would present it like that. This is nothing more than an "Oh don't mess with me I have a gun." mentality. Her hands look similar in size to mine and although I would and could shoot such a large firearm I would not choose one like that. Someone will take it from her, kill six people quickly, and club the rest to death with it.

**Five-0** · 12-27-09, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

I would have to initially agree. The mainstream mindset of gun ownership focuses more on the right to own a firearm instead of the ability to use one. There is ownership and then there is responsible ownership. Keeping a firearm on the desk is ridiculous and no responsible firearm owner would present it like that. This is nothing more than an "Oh don't mess with me I have a gun." mentality. Her hands look similar in size to mine and although I would and could shoot such a large firearm I would not choose one like that. Someone will take it from her, kill six people quickly, and club the rest to death with it.

Bingo. Every know and then I would have someone I go to church with ask if I was carrying off duty. My standard reply is, "I don't remember." Unless I'm working you will never see a gun on me.

**Jenna** · 12-27-09, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Bingo. Every know and then I would have someone I go to church with ask if I was carrying off duty. My standard reply is, "I don't remember." Unless I'm working you will never see a gun on me.

Now that's a scary reply!

**Car 4** · 12-27-09, 12:14 PM

A remote detonated Claymore aimed at the defense table makes more sense.

Car 4

**lewisipso** · 12-27-09, 12:18 PM

I like it.

**Five-0** · 12-27-09, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Car 4

A remote detonated Claymore aimed at the defense table makes more sense.

Car 4

But that would get the lawyer too...............oh I get it.

**Bama512** · 12-27-09, 02:54 PM

Yep, I am all for the judge having a gun. However, putting it out on the bench in front of her is dumb. Also, putting that in the paper pointing out that she has it on the bench is dumb. Now, the thugs don't have to formulate a plan on how to smuggle a gun into court, they already got one there - location well announced!

**213th** · 12-27-09, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Good for her, but her weapon retention is horrible. The article says she keeps the gun seen on her desk.

See, I read that a little different. I think they may have left out punctuation. I may have read it wrong, but I read it with the added commas in bold "to keep the gun, seen on her desk, in her courtroom"

I just figured that it was on the desk for the photo op. If I'm wrong, I think we should chip in to send Maclean over there to teach her a few things, before something bad happens and the anti-gun circles jump on it to champion their case.

**pgg** · 12-27-09, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Car 4

A remote detonated Claymore aimed at the defense table makes more sense.

Car 4

That sounds like a plan. Reps!!!

**Pelicandriver** · 12-28-09, 04:03 PM

The gun in the picture is on her desk in her private office. It's probably a photo op. I'm doubt that she keeps it sitting on the bench in plain view.

Having no security in a court, especially a family law court, is an insane invitation to trouble.