From the "some are more equal than others" department...

[T.O.M.]

Just read a memo the boss got from one of the state (Ohio) judges associations...they are pushing for legislation to have judges declared by statute as law enforcement officers.  Why?  It would make them exempt from CCW requirements, allow them to ignore the "do not carry" signs at stores and such, and also allow judges to carry nationwide under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.  Apparently, a few judges up in the Cleveland area have issued court orders declaring themselves to be law enforcement officers, and stating that they must carry a weapon as a part of their duties to make themselves fall under that act, but they're looking for some statutory support for their orders.

Personally, I'm not liking this idea.  Like you guys, I don't like "more equal" laws.  I also don't think judges should be declared LEOs, because of the seperation of powers under the Constitution.  Judiciary and Executive(law enforcement) are intended to be seperate branches.  Blur that line, and bad things can happen.  I'm not a cop, and I don't want people to think of me as a cop.  I'm a judicial officer.

And, I really don't like the proposal, because it doesn't include magistrates, so I wouldn't get any benefits from it.   

[Jamisjockey]

Just read a memo the boss got from one of the state (Ohio) judges associations...they are pushing for legislation to have judges declared by statute as law enforcement officers.  Why?  It would make them exempt from CCW requirements, allow them to ignore the "do not carry" signs at stores and such, and also allow judges to carry nationwide under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.  Apparently, a few judges up in the Cleveland area have issued court orders declaring themselves to be law enforcement officers, and stating that they must carry a weapon as a part of their duties to make themselves fall under that act, but they're looking for some statutory support for their orders.

Personally, I'm not liking this idea.  Like you guys, I don't like "more equal" laws.  I also don't think judges should be declared LEOs, because of the seperation of powers under the Constitution.  Judiciary and Executive(law enforcement) are intended to be seperate branches.  Blur that line, and bad things can happen.  I'm not a cop, and I don't want people to think of me as a cop.  I'm a judicial officer.

And, I really don't like the proposal, because it doesn't include magistrates, so I wouldn't get any benefits from it.  

I'll bet dollars to dounuts that this comes up on some of the other boards I'm on specific to Texas, and about how bad ass it is and how you "don't mess with Texas"  


 

I don't know why I keep thinking you're in Texas...

[RevDisk]

Personally, I'm not liking this idea.  Like you guys, I don't like "more equal" laws.  I also don't think judges should be declared LEOs, because of the seperation of powers under the Constitution.  Judiciary and Executive(law enforcement) are intended to be seperate branches.  Blur that line, and bad things can happen.  I'm not a cop, and I don't want people to think of me as a cop.  I'm a judicial officer.

You don't want to be Judge Dredd?  But you'd get an awesome gun to go with it!

[T.O.M.]

You don't want to be Judge Dredd?  But you'd get an awesome gun to go with it!

Nah.  I'd look stupid in that helmet.  And I don't have the bod for those blue tights.   

[cordex]

I also don't think judges should be declared LEOs, because of the seperation of powers under the Constitution.  Judiciary and Executive(law enforcement) are intended to be seperate branches.  Blur that line, and bad things can happen.  I'm not a cop, and I don't want people to think of me as a cop.  I'm a judicial officer.

These are some really good points.  I wonder if that would eventually result in legal challenges.

[RevDisk]

Nah.  I'd look stupid in that helmet.  And I don't have the bod for those blue tights.   

But you could scream "I AM DA LAW!"

[HankB]

. . . Apparently, a few judges up in the Cleveland area have issued court orders declaring themselves to be law enforcement officers, and stating that they must carry a weapon as a part of their duties . . .

Making law, not interpreting it.  

This is even worse than SCOTUS declaring themselves exempt from Federal income tax.

This kind of cr@p serves only to reduce respect for public officials and the offices they hold.

The implications aren't pretty . . . neither are the unintended consequences. And I find that worrisome. It's bad enough that the general populace holds Congress and POTUS in very low regard . . . if now the courts begin to be considered illegitimate . . . that's not a good thing.

[SADShooter]

The best protection for an institution is respect for that institution. Separating yourself, or especially elevating yourself, from the community you serve is the certain road to undermining respect.

[cordex]

Making law, not interpreting it.  

Worse than that.  Making laws, interpreting laws AND enforcing laws.

[AZRedhawk44]

Were I in your shoes and industry, I would vocally lobby against it under the separation of powers argument.  On teh nooz.  With that argument.

It's so horrendously morally bankrupt and self-serving that I lack words to fully describe my condemnation of it.

[T.O.M.]

Update:  The response has been overwhelmingly against this proposal.  The survey is showing 92% opposed.  Most frequent comment "get a carry permit like everyone else."

maybe some hope for the future, huh?

[Tallpine]

I think judges should be able to lawfully CCW without a permit, just like everyone else  

[dogmush]

I read this thread, and then I scan down to the thread about it being judges being targeted.  and I wonder.

I think it's probably not a direct causal relationship, but I think it's probably one of the reasons that support for the .gov (all branches) is crumbling.  what happens when that support finishes crumbling will be bad for everyone.

[kgbsquirrel]

I think judges should be able to lawfully CCW without a permit, just like everyone else  

Yup. I'll gladly foot the bill to add ballistic glass to the judge's bench in the court room if they'd nullify all infringements on the 2A.

[T.O.M.]

Yup. I'll gladly foot the bill to add ballistic glass to the judge's bench in the court room if they'd nullify all infringements on the 2A.

Funny, because the bench I sit behind is allegedly armored.  Makes me completely safe from the waist down.   

[roo_ster]

Funny, because the bench I sit behind is allegedly armored.  Makes me completely safe from the waist down.   

So all your importantest parts is protected.

[209]

I think judges should be able to lawfully CCW without a permit, just like everyone else  

Exactly right!