LEE COUNTY, Fla., Jan. 29 – A judge?s order says law enforcement officers have to check their guns with security when they go into county courthouses across Southwest Florida.

MCDOUGALL TRIED to get an injunction against the move, but his request was thrown out.
The sheriff now plans to take his case to the 2nd District Court of Appeals.

GUN BAN

The gun ban affects all the courthouses in Southwest Florida; that includes Glades and Hendry counties. Supporters insist the ban will make local courthouses safer.
When Deputy Tim Fisher is out on the street, he likes having his gun by his side. ?Unfortunately, society dictates that it?s a violent society, so therefore, I need something to protect me and you.?
But when deputies and other law enforcement officers go through the metal detectors at local courthouses, they soon may not be able to keep their guns by their sides anymore.
An order by the chief judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit says, ?Any person in possession of a weapon, hazardous material, or contraband shall be denied access to the courthouse,? unless those items are surrendered.
Court officials worry someone could sneak a weapon past security by impersonating a cop. ?We also feel the fewer weapons in the courthouse the more secure it?s going to be,? says Ken Kellum, the deputy court administrator.

Is this a good idea? What do you think?

But Lee County Sheriff John McDougall disagrees; saying the chances for courthouse violence goes up if the bad guys know police are unarmed. That?s why he?s filed papers asking for an injunction to keep the new policy from going into effect.
?I feel it?s to the advantage and enhances security to have uniformed officers who happen to be doing business in the courthouse to be able to keep their weapons with them,? says the Lee County sheriff.
Courthouse security and bailiffs would be allowed to keep their weapons in court. Now, it?ll be up to a judge to decide if deputies will be allowed to as well.