Weapons Banned From Courthouse

Judges frustrated by a lack of security measures have banned weapons from the Yakima County Courthouse.

The order, quietly signed last week, expands a July 1993 order that banned weapons from the second and third floors of the four-story courthouse, where most of the county’s courtrooms are located.

“We cannot secure the second and third floors without making the courthouse weapon-free,” said Superior Court Judge James Gavin.

The judges, who long have expressed anxiety over the lack of security, were upset last week when a task force examining courthouse security gave low priority to airport-style metal detectors.

Superior Court Judge Susan Hahn, who represents judges on the task force, cast the lone dissenting vote on the group’s recommendation last week. A final recommendation will be discussed again this week and forwarded to county commissioners.