Spokane7
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March 3, 2010 in City
Loaded gun seized at Spokane County Courthouse
Meghann M. Cuniff
The Spokesman-Review
A Spokane woman was arrested today after she tried to bring a loaded gun to a court hearing on a domestic violence charge.
Stacey L. Atkins, 22, was cited for two misdemeanors and released after security at the Spokane County Courthouse found the Bersa .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol in her purse as it passed through the x-ray machine on the north side of the courthouse.
The gun’s magazine was loaded, but there was no bullet in the chamber, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Weapons are prohibited inside the courthouse.
Atkins was cited for possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. She was released after she promised to appear in court, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Human trafficking suspects released 
Scoutster on March 03 at 1:37 p.m.
What did she think those metal detectors and X-ray machines were for?
misjustice on March 03 at 1:50 p.m.
Hey, just a good ole girl exercising her 2nd Amendment Rights? Next stop, Starbucks! Lol! ; )
spokanecommunistparty on March 03 at 2:00 p.m.
I think you are required to give your weapons to the security people until you leave the court house.
Fetch on March 03 at 2:30 p.m.
Is she charged with domestic violence? If she is that’s a different story. But if she had been open carrying, no license needed to open carry, then she could not be charged with concealment, need a CPL to conceal.
spocommparty, yes, at the entrance you request a lock box for you sidearm. By state law they have to provide one. Get it back when you leave.
Hcklbery on March 03 at 6:25 p.m.
This is the typical example of law enforcements continual harassment of citizens who exercise the second amendment to bear arms because they don’t like that constitutionally guaranteed right granted to anyone but their elitist selves.
Discouragement by abuse of power harassment and litigation intimidation.
Jacq on March 07 at 2:04 p.m.
this is Stacey Atkins..the story that has been reported on me is so untrue..let me say it how it really went since nobody bothered to ask me.
so Wednesday morning, I was headed down to the court house to obtain a restraining order..I was NOT down there over a domestic violence hearing…so the question on whether I had harmed somone is not an issue. I DID NOT. Nor was I planning on harming anyone unless my life was in jeoparady!!
The night prior to this incident, I had been receiving threatening text messages from an ex boyfriend. I have the evidence to prove it. Being that I know him fairly well I knew that I should arm myself.
I have no criminal record. I have no felonies. I am allowed to own a weapon. My pistol was bought brand new at an establishment that sells guns.
I was wrong in the fact that I do not have a concealed weapons permit. (whoopsies) But it was my understanding when i bought the gun I could carry it in my vehicle. I was informed that I was not.
I feared for my life that morning. 8( Therefore I carried a weapon. I did obtain my restraining order against my ex as I had intended. I was just trying to protect myself.
And just for the record: I was not PLANNING on taking my gun into the courthouse. It was a mistake. Clearly I know that they have x-ray machines there.
Hcklbery on March 17 at 5:13 p.m.
After the recent news developments of crazy exes and not so exes shooting and killing the women unfortunate to cross their paths I would think that the police would use a little common sense and of just let you off with a warning and admonishment to get your paperwork in order.
Perhaps you should speak to your local legislature to sponsor a bill that would of permitted the judge upon issuing a restraining order to also issued right then and there a weapons concealment permit.
Seems to me this could be a bill named after that school teacher recently murdered by that psychopath stalker.
Hcklbery on March 17 at 5:16 p.m.
If I had to be you for a day I damn well would be a packing, these days you’d be an idiot not to.