St. Charles Co. judges question why officers should bring guns in courtroom

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) -- People entering court in St. Charles County can't bring their guns -- except for police officers. Now, two of the county's judges are wondering if that's safe and fair.

Police officers -- some in uniform, some in plainclothes -- routinely enter the courthouse to testify, file paperwork or participate in their own personal cases. They're allowed to be armed as long as they can show their credentials.

Circuit Judge Jon Cunningham, at a judges meeting this month, wondered if it was time to change that policy. He asked, what if an officer is involved in a hotly contested divorce case or a protection order?

Cunningham said it would be alarming to him if he were hearing a case, noticed a weapon, and didn't know the person carrying the gun was an officer.

There is also a potential fairness issue, Cunningham said, since the officer could potentially intimidate other parties in the case.

Associate Circuit Judge Norman C. Steimel, who primarily hears family court cases, went one step further.

"I don't see any reason for guns in here at all," he said. "I don't know why guns can't be checked at the door."

The circuit's 12 judges could vote on the issue next month.

Polices vary around the St. Louis region. The city circuit also allows off-duty officers in uniform to keep their weapons with them, but an off-duty officer in plainclothes has to check his or her weapon.

In St. Louis County, plainclothes and off-duty officers must check their guns.

In Lincoln County, officers are not allowed to wear their weapons into family court in off-duty clothing, said Cpl. Andy Binder. But he noted there are benefits to having armed plainclothes officers present, such as being able to respond to an attack.

In St. Louis County in 1992, Kenneth M. Baumruk opened fire during his divorce hearing. He fatally shot his wife and wounded four others before he was shot nine times by three police officers, two in plainclothes. Metal detectors were installed in the courthouse after the shooting. Baumruk has been sentenced to death.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com