The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors discussed the state law that recently took effect allowing those with open carry permits to bring firearms into courthouses at their meeting Tuesday.

County Attorney Brenna Bird explained that House File 2502 does not allow weapons into courtrooms, but if any local government wishes to restrict weapons in a public building, they must screen anyone who enters the building and provide armed security personnel.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says his office does get calls from county department employees when they feel threatened by citizens who visit their offices, and it could be exacerbated by the new law, “That’s going on in the City and Guthrie County where the person who has a permit to carry is walking up and down the sidewalks with his AR-15, and citizens are calling all the time. There’s nothing we can do.”

Arganbright told the Board that restricting weapons in the courthouse would actually require two additional deputies, to allow for one of them to be able to take breaks and vacation or sick time. He asked rhetorically if the state will pay for these additional employees. He added that the signs placed around the courthouse since 2012 that restricted firearms have since been taken down. Board Chair Mike Dickson said this will be a topic to continue discussing in the future.