Chapter 8.100
WEAPONS IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Sections:
8.100.020 Weapons prohibited in the Jefferson County Courthouse.
8.100.030 Courthouse security.
8.100.040 Security screening required.
8.100.010 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
(1) “Armed forces” means the armed forces of the United States or of the National Guard or organized reserves.
(2) “Courthouse” means the Jefferson County Courthouse, located at 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, Washington 98368.
(3) “Dangerous weapon” means:
(a) Any device commonly known as “nun-chu-ka sticks,” consisting of two or more lengths of wood, metal, plastic, or similar substance connected with wire, rope, or other means;
(b) Any device, commonly known as “throwing stars,” which are multipointed, metal objects designed to embed upon impact from any aspect;
(c) Any air gun, including any air pistol or air rifle, designed to propel a BB, pellet, or other projectile by the discharge of compressed air, carbon dioxide, or other gas; or
(d) Any portable device manufactured to function as a weapon and which is commonly known as a stun gun, including a projectile stun gun which projects wired probes that are attached to the device that emits an electrical charge designed to administer to a person or an animal an electric shock, charge, or impulse; and
(e) Any device, object, or instrument which is used or intended to be used as a weapon with the intent to injure a person by an electric shock, charge, or impulse.
(4) “Firearm” means a weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. The definition of “firearm” includes the terms “pistol,” “rifle,” “short-barreled rifle,” “shotgun,” “short-barreled shotgun,” “machine gun,” and “antique firearm” as those terms are defined in RCW 9.41.010, as it currently exists or may be amended.
(5) “Law enforcement officer” means “federal peace officer” as defined in RCW 10.93.020, “general authority Washington peace officer” as defined in RCW 10.93.020, “law enforcement officer” as defined in RCW 9.41.010, “peace officer” as defined in RCW 43.101.010, “limited authority Washington peace officer” as defined in RCW 10.93.020, “qualified law enforcement officer” as defined in 18 U.S.C. Section 928B(c) and “specially commissioned Washington peace officer” as defined in RCW 10.93.020. For the avoidance of doubt, “law enforcement officer” includes federal, tribal, state, and local members of law enforcement organizations certified by their jurisdiction to enforce the laws of that jurisdiction (including corrections personnel, probation officers, parole officers, etc.).
(6) “Picture ID” means a valid identification card issued by a government entity, with a photograph of the person presenting it to a person conducting security screening at the courthouse.
(7) “Sheriff” means the Jefferson County sheriff or their designee, and includes without limitation all sheriff’s deputies.
(8) “Wanding” means using a handheld metal detector wand or security wand to search for concealed weapons.
(9) “Weapon” shall have the same meaning as in RCW 9.41.300(1)(b), as it currently exists or may be amended. The current definition of “weapon” in RCW 9.41.300(1)(b) is ““Weapon” means any firearm, explosive as defined in RCW 70.74.010, or any weapon of the kind usually known as slingshot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or any knife, dagger, dirk, or other similar weapon that is capable of causing death or bodily injury and is commonly used with the intent to cause death or bodily injury.” In addition, “weapon” also includes “dangerous weapon” and “firearm,” as defined in this chapter. [Ord. 1-23 § 2, 2023]
8.100.020 Weapons prohibited in the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Weapons are prohibited within the interior of the entire courthouse building with the following exceptions:
(1) Sheriff’s deputies whether on or off duty may carry their issued service weapon.
(2) Other law enforcement officers whether on or off duty may carry their issued service weapon.
(3) On-duty armed forces personnel entering the courthouse pursuant to their official duties may carry their issued service weapon. [Ord. 1-23 § 3, 2023]
8.100.030 Courthouse security.
The sheriff shall provide security to the courthouse at all times that the courthouse is open to the public. The sheriff also shall provide security to all sessions of court, including but not limited to juvenile court. [Ord. 1-23 § 4, 2023]
8.100.040 Security screening required.
(1) All Persons Subject to Security Screening. All persons entering the courthouse will be subject to security screening by the sheriff to ensure compliance with this chapter, except as authorized in subsection (3) of this section. Any person not consenting to such a search shall be refused entry into the courthouse.
(2) Security Screening Required. Security screening shall include, but is not limited to:
(a) Electronic screening for the detection of metals;
(b) Inspection of all packages, purses, backpacks, briefcases or any other containers capable of concealing a weapon that is being brought into the courthouse;
(c) Wanding of all persons coming into the courthouse to ensure that they are not bringing concealed weapons into the courthouse; and
(d) Confiscation of any weapon found and deemed by the sheriff to be potentially dangerous.
(3) Exceptions to Security Screening. Exceptions to the requirements in subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall include:
(a) Employees or volunteers of Jefferson County who present or wear a valid county-issued picture ID;
(b) Judges (including court commissioners, pro tem judges, and visiting judges) who present or wear a valid county-issued picture ID;
(c) On-duty law enforcement officers who are in uniform or who present a valid, department-issued picture ID proving their commission;
(d) On-duty first responders (such as firefighters and ambulance crews) who are in uniform;
(e) On-duty armed forces personnel who are coming to court pursuant to their official duties who present their valid military picture ID and orders showing they are on official duties;
(f) Licensed attorneys who present a valid bar card proving admission to the State Bar of Washington, along with a matching picture ID issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.);
(g) Inmates in the custody of Jefferson County jail staff or Washington Department of Corrections staff; and
(h) Juveniles who are in the custody of a juvenile probation officer. [Ord. 1-23 § 5, 2023]