HB 2174

Present law generally provides that a person commits a Class E felony if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carr ies on or about the person while inside any building in which judicial proceedings are in progress any weapon prohibited by present law , for the purpose of going armed . Further , if the weapon carried is a firearm, the person is in violation of such prohibition regardless of whether the weapon is carried for the purpose of going armed. Present law provides certain exceptions to the above prohibition. One such exception is for any person who i s in the actual discharge of official duties as a judge, and meets all of the following criteria:  Is authorized to carry a handgun .  Keeps the handgun concealed at all times when in the discharge of such duties .  Is vested with judicial powers . This bill revises the above exception by clarifying that the exception applies to a chancery, circuit, or appellate court judge, or a governor-appointed judge, and removes the requirement that such person keep the handgun concealed at all times when in the discharge of their duties . This bill also authorizes a sitting or retired chancery, circuit, or appellate court judge, or a sitting or retired governor-appointed judge, to carry a weapon, including a firearm, in any location and manner where a law enforcement officer is permitted to carry a firearm pursuant t o present law , if the judge is authorized to carry a handgun .