OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A Douglas County judge’s controversial courtroom ban on guns is now being disputed by his own colleagues.
The Omaha World-Herald reports (https://bit.ly/1QdPK0u ) that Douglas County District Judge Mark Ashford sent a letter to Omaha’s police chief saying that he disagrees with Judge James Gleason’s ban on guns in his courtroom.
“All citizens deserve to feel secure,” Ashford wrote. “Disarming law enforcement personnel in my courtroom or any public area within the Hall of Justice threatens public safety.”
Gleason ruled earlier this month that only sheriff’s deputies providing courthouse security will be allowed to wear their weapons.
Police officers, union leadership and Omaha’s police chief opposed the ban and have discussed taking action to express this disagreement.
The judges briefly discussed the matter during a meeting Tuesday. Presiding District Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf says the county’s other 15 district judges disagree with Gleason’s decision and won’t adopt a similar policy in their courtrooms.
“All the other judges unanimously trust in the Sheriff’s Office,” Retelsdorf said. “They have the expertise. They train for this. And they believe that on-duty police officers should carry their service weapons to ensure the safety of the courthouse.”
However, Omaha defense attorney James Schaefer said he supports Gleason’s ban.
“While sitting in court waiting to testify, these officers are not providing security,” Schaefer wrote in a letter. “They are witnesses, and their credibility should be evaluated like any other witness. Carrying a firearm may enhance the officers’ credibility.”
Among his reasons for a gun ban, Gleason cited credibility and safety concerns - saying that “a firearm is an inherently dangerous instrument.”
City attorneys are “strongly considering” an appeal of Gleason’s order, Assistant City Attorney Bernard in den Bosch said Tuesday.
___
Information from: Omaha World-Herald, https://www.omaha.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.