The South Dakota Supreme Court held a rules hearing yesterday on South Dakota’s silly law allowing certain civilians to carry guns in one of the last places a citizen should ever consider carrying a gun, the State Capitol. The justices want to clarify that the law does not apply to most areas of the Capitol in which the Supreme Court does business… even though allowing guns even in the court administrator’s office puts our judges at risk:
The only person to testify Monday was the court administrator, Greg Sattizahn.
He said “the heart” of the new law is defining chamber. He said the issue is drawing a “boundary” designating where concealed pistols are allowed. He said that was why his office wasn’t specifically mentioned.
“That is the reason that was not included there,” Sattizahn said.
Chief Justice David Gilbertson noted during the hearing that he visits all of the Supreme Court’s areas, including the court administrator’s office, on a daily basis when he is at the Capitol [Bob Mercer, “South Dakota’s New Law on Concealed Pistols Doesn’t Protect State Court Administrator’s Office,” KELO-TV, 2019.08.26].
The justices will decide on their rule later. But drawing go/no-go lines for guns within the confines of our most hallowed hall of justice is still a travesty against our faith in the rule of law. Civilians should be allowed to bring their arguments to the court and the Capitol, never their firearms.
Totally agree, Cory.
Easy solution. Give our State Supreme Court justices guns. Everyone knows that good guys with guns is always the solution to bad guys with guns. What could possibly go wrong?
Codington County has quite the security setup now… you cant have a pocket knife attached to your key chain to go register your vehicles or any other county business at the court house…
In a similar vein, but nationally oriented, we find this little gem…
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/08/five-democratic-senators-throw-a-legal-bombshell-at-the-supreme-court-with-unusual-brief-in-gun-case/
Legal minds might find this interesting. I like it because it attacks wingnut justices and their NRA/Russia pals.
I think TAG has it right because guns don’t kill justices, or something like that.
Wow! Mike, that’s a tough amicus brief you linked too. Now what? 😯😯😯
Debbo, hopefully the 5 activist wingnuts agree not to sit in on any cases in front of the court and resign after Dems win the next election and control the White House and Senate.
Back in the day when I was a Circuit Administrator, I went around to discuss upgrading security measures in the courthouses, including installing metal detectors, etc. I can assure you that some judges do carry guns. I can also tell you my response to those who wanted to know why guns shouldn’t be allowed in courtrooms. “Lousy aim; trembling hands; waving arms; civilians in the seats; no Kevlar [at that time] on the bench.”
Excellent reasons Eve.
Mike, I think we need a constitutional amendment limiting SCOTUS terms to 12 years.
We need a few other amendments too– abolishing the Electoral College, mandating elections paid for by public $ only, redistricting on all levels via computer algorithms, guns can only be conceal carried and that must be up the ass, etc.
Oops. Sorry. I got a little carried away with my posting my amendments comment.
we enlightened in RC have a great big concealed gun carrying Civic Center we welcome tens of thousands to for events. Guns there for self defense eh?
I remember clearly the dreadful day when a classmate’s dad didn’t come home from divorce court, dying in a gun battle while court was in session in RC. Yippee yiyi yah kiyo. SD cowboys/girls are complete idiots to this day.
If you’re using force, you’re doing it wrong.
How many South Dakotans actually used a concealed weapon yesterday?
Oh, how I hope you’re not being overly optimistic, Mike. And LONG LIVE RBG!