Pantagraph: Bomke drafting bill to let judges be armed

[Tweed]

http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/031205/new_20050312044.shtml

"SPRINGFIELD -- A state lawmaker is planning to propose legislation that would allow judges to carry concealed weapons.

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said Sangamon County Circuit Judge Patrick Kelley asked him if he would introduce the law in wake of the slayings of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow's mother and husband two weeks ago.

Bomke said such a law might have prevented the shooting of Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, who died Friday morning in Atlanta, Ga., along with two others when a rape defendant grabbed a sheriff deputy's gun and opened fire on the judge and his court reporter.

"In light of what happened this morning, I think the possibilities are pretty good that the judge could have had defended himself had he had a weapon," Bomke said Friday."

Or maybe the sheriff deputy shouldn't have a gun and NO guns should be allowed in the court room?! :shrug:

[AntiSmirk]

1. That's Just Fucking Stupid

Bomke's my State Rep and generally not all that evil for a Republican. But adding guns to the mix isn't going to help. First of all, this really isn't a widespread problem. Has a judge EVER been gunned down in an Illinois court?

[CubsFan1982]

2. No.

But a judge was murdered in court in Georgia yesterday, and a judge's family was murdered in Chicago two weeks ago. I'm not saying the legislation isn't stupid, but these judges do need protection.