Monday, March 26, 2007

Pistol-Packin' Prosecutors

The Brownsville Herald had an article last Thursday about a proposed bill to allow felony prosecutors to bring concealed weapons to court. The notion came about because of unfounded fears that a violent gang would try to break one of its members out from the courthouse during his sentencing. Like any policy decision made based on fear, this seems like a bad idea to me. I support law-abiding citizens' right to keep and bear arms without restriction. Prosecutors should be treated no differently than any other citizens. When was the last time a Texas prosecutor was killed on the job? Many prosecutors have no business carrying guns, much less doing so in court. Prosecutors don't have any better judgment than normal people, and some of them have considerably worse. I've seen prosecutors call people names, throw temper tantrums, and call defense lawyer out of court. The Second Amendment was intended to allow the people to protect themselves from the government (not from street thugs or squirrels). Allowing government agents (like prosecutors) to carry guns at times or in places where the people could not carry turns the Second Amendment around backwards.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The possible danger in a courthouse is multiplied considerably by prosecutors carrying guns. The practice of District Attorney's toting firearms destroys the whole reason why we stand in line 30 minutes to go through a metal detector. Why does the security process matter when anyone with a mind to can overpower a 120 lb assistant d.a. and take their weapon? At least the bailiffs have gone through weapon retention training. Many courthouse incidents are caused by the weapons the protectors, be they bailiffs, judges, or prosecutors bring to the courthouse instead of weapons brought in by the public. If a prosecutor wants to play cop, then quit and join the force. Otherwise, please stop the drama.

Mark Bennett said...

Thanks for the comment, paul. That's an excellent point.