Courthouse Park — Photo: Kidfly182 — CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fresno County Board Votes to Let Prosecutors Carry Guns After Courthouse Stabbing
Fresno County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to let some prosecutors carry guns at work. The move comes less than three weeks after a prosecutor was stabbed in Courthouse Park.
Under the plan, prosecutors and special investigators who already hold concealed-carry licenses could bring firearms onto county property. They’d need written approval from District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp first.
Smittcamp told supervisors the prosecutor attacked Aug. 20 is back at work.
“It’s been a rough few weeks for us at the DA’s office,” Smittcamp said. “We’re doing our best to heal.”
One problem remains: the courthouse has separate weapons rules.
Sheriff John Zanoni said he’s working with court leaders on how prosecutors would store their guns before entering the building.
“I don’t know if we have enough lockers at this time,” Zanoni said. “So we’re looking at that.”
Smittcamp said arming prosecutors is only part of the answer. She called for more courthouse security.
The ordinance comes back for a second hearing Sept. 22. If approved then, it takes effect 30 days later.
The Breakdown
- Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to add prosecutors and DA investigators to the list of county employees allowed to carry firearms on county property
- Only those who already hold concealed-carry licenses qualify, and each needs written approval from DA Lisa Smittcamp
- The courthouse itself has separate weapons rules — prosecutors would need to store firearms in lockers before entering, but the Sheriff says there may not be enough lockers yet
- Second hearing scheduled for Sept. 22; if approved, the change takes effect 30 days after that
What This Means for You
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow armed prosecutors on county property following a violent attack on a prosecutor. Smittcamp said arming prosecutors is “only part of the solution” and called for increased courthouse security as well.
What to Watch
Smittcamp said arming prosecutors is “only part of the solution” and called for increased courthouse security. The prosecutor was stabbed in Courthouse Park, outside the building.
