(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COURTHOUSE. Any building, facility, or other structure owned by, leased to, occupied by, or kept or maintained by Chatham County, housing any court of the General Court of Justice or any function or operation related to the General Court of Justice, including, without limitation, the Chatham County Justice Center and the Historic Courthouse.
FIREARM. A handgun, shotgun, or rifle which expels, or is designed to expel, a projectile by action of an explosion.
HANDGUN. A pistol, revolver or other firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand, including but not limited to any revolver, pistol, derringer, single-shot pistol, or semi-automatic pistol.
LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITY. The Chatham County Jail, Detention Center, Sheriffs Office, or any other building, facility, structure, or other property, owned by, leased to, or kept or maintained by Chatham County housing any county law enforcement activities and under the control of the Sheriff of Chatham County.
WEAPON. Means and includes any firearm, handgun, knife, explosive device, air guns of any descriptions (BB guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, and the like) dirk, dagger, slung shot, sling shot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razor, Shurikin, stun gun, or other deadly weapon as defined in the North Carolina General Statutes.
(B) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or carry, or cause to be carried or possessed, either directly or indirectly, whether open or concealed, loaded or unloaded, with or without a permit, any firearm, handgun, or other weapon, on or in a courthouse or any law enforcement facility, including their immediately appurtenant grounds or adjoining parking area.
(C) Exceptions. The prohibition contained in division (B) of this section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Officers and enlisted personnel of the armed forces of the United States when in discharge of their official duties as such and acting under lawful orders requiring them to carry a handgun, firearm, or other weapon;
(2) Civil officers or employees of the United States or the state while in the discharge of their official duties as such and acting under lawful orders requiring them to carry a handgun, firearm, or other weapon;
(3) Officers and soldiers of the national guard when called into actual service as such and acting under lawful orders requiring them to carry a handgun, firearm, or other weapon;
(4) Officers of the state, or any county, city, or town charged with the enforcement of the laws of the state or the detention of any prisoner or detainee, when acting in the discharge of such officer's official duties and under lawful orders requiring or authorizing such officer to carry a hand gun or other firearm or other weapon;
(5) Sworn law enforcement officers, state probation or parole certified officers, when off duty, provided that an officer does not carry a weapon while in a courtroom on personal business, for a personal matter, or if he or she has a personal interest in the matter before the court, or while consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance or while alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance remains in the officer’s body;
(6) Duly appointed Chatham County animal services officers if necessary to carry out their official duties and to complete firearms and taser training on county owned firing ranges, and other county owned property, when the training and instructor are specifically authorized by the Sheriff; provided, however, that no such officer shall carry a weapon while in a courtroom on personal business, for a personal matter, or if he or she has a personal interest in the matter before the court, or while consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance or while alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance remains in the officer's body
(7) Basic Law Enforcement training cadets ("Cadet"), if necessary to complete firearms and taser training on county owned firing ranges, and other county owned property when the training and instructor are specifically authorized by the Sheriff; provided, however, that a Cadet shall not carry a weapon while in a courtroom on personal business, for a personal matter, or if he or she has a personal interest in the matter before the court, or while consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance or while alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance remains in the officer's body.
(8) Other non-law enforcement civilians but only when the training and instructor are specifically authorized by the Sheriff.
(9) Any person delivering a handgun, firearm, or other weapon to a law enforcement agency;
(10) Any person receiving a handgun, firearm, or other weapon from a law enforcement agency;
(11) Any person who holds a lawfully issued concealed carry permit to carry on or about his or her person a handgun and who has secured the concealed handgun in a locked vehicle within the trunk, glove box, or other enclosed compartment or area within or on the motor vehicle;
(12) Employees of a contractor or other business doing business on county property carrying or possessing a knife when in discharge of their official duties as such in fulfillment of a contract with the county and acting under orders requiring the carry of a knife and employees of the county carrying out their official duties under orders requiring the carry of a knife; and
(13) Any other person or group exempted by the provisions of G.S. §§ 14-269(b) or 14-269.4.
(D) Notice and signage. The sheriff or his or her designee shall post in a conspicuous location on or in each courthouse and law enforcement facility notices regarding the prohibitions contained in this section. The sheriff or his or her designee shall exercise discretion in determining the number and appropriate location of the notices to be posted.
(E) A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
(Ord. passed 6-17-2013; Am. Ord. passed 1-16-2018; Ord. passed 11-15-2021) Penalty, see § 130.99