Here's the new sign that references the court order and doesn't have the exemption notice for permit holders like on the standalone library signs.

I took this photo on a Saturday when the courts building was locked and closed.

Two thoughts occur to me:

1) When the library is open and the courts are closed and locked, shouldn't a "law abiding" permit holder be able to carry.

2) Doesn't the Hennepin County court order subvert the state law that claims other jurisdictions may not have firearms laws more restrictive than the state statutes?
(/haven't looked up either the statute or the court order)

1st time I have seen a sign with feet

As to your first thought.......never fly .....it's too close to common sense.

I believe you are correct on your second thought.

Its a judge doing what he wants because he can. Remember, you're not violating state law if you carry in his court. you're violating a court order, so you'd be in contempt. Thats how he can do it.

Interesting point... So, concealed means concealed?

What is the police/sheriff's responsibility with court orders affecting only the court building? For example, what if a police officer sees you carrying around the building?

So who gets to define what "his court" means. What prevents him from saying his court extends to the Minnesota state border, thereby nullifying our right to carry anywhere

That would get overturned on appeal.

It would be interesting to see a copy of the Court Order and the date issued. It may predate the MPPA. I wouldn't test it by defying it but one could move to have permit holders exempted. Or maybe a new and improved Court Order would be worse. I wonder if anybody has been charged with Contempt or whether it is simply to allow the guards to disarm people.

No, it was a power grab by the Henn judges when they realized the Lege allowed carry in courthouses.


I doubt it, since the order refers specifically to permit holders. Others are banned already.

I normally wouldn't give a hoot if they banned legal carry in Henn Co courthouses because I make it a priority to not have to go there.

I do, however, frequent the Brookdale Library and don't want to run afoul of the law.

Maybe I'll go to the court entrance (unarmed of course) and ask for a copy of that court order.

Would you have to go there for jury duty?

I did my jury time about four years ago before I was able to get a permit. So it's unlikely.

Is the order online? I only see it referred to as "Hennepin County District Court’s Order dated May 27, 2003".

From what I can tell, no--they're not online.

I did not realize the judges acted right after PPA. In outstate we've had these kinds of Court orders for many years. So I had assumed that the orders predated the PPA. Sort of a slap on the legislature. And the governor.

Just as an update, the Maple Grove library has the new signs listing that permit holders are specifically exempt.