COURTHOUSE PACKING NO NO: Security discovers loaded handgun inside...

Photos: Actual photos of the handgun screened out by court security officers…

BARNSTABLE – It’s common knowledge, Massachusetts court security officers don’t take kindly to weapons entering one of their courthouses…

… yet that is exactly what would have happened today at the Barnstable County Probate and Family Court, had it not been for an alert security guard.

In fact, weapons of any sort are forbidden inside of any of the local Barnstable Courthouses…

Chief Matthew Sonnabend of the Barnstable Police Department confirmed there was an incident earlier today at the court complex where security discovered a handgun inside the backpack of a man who had been entering the building. The man did not have his gun license on him but police were able to later confirm he did, in fact, have a valid License To Carry the firearm. Chief Sonnabend told HN his department would not be pursuing criminal charges at this point, mainly because there being no evidence of intent.

According to several sources, the entire incident may have been an unintentional mistake, yet one that drew attention and raised alarm amongst courthouse staff nevertheless. HN was contacted shortly after the incident — which reportedly occurred sometime before 11:00 am this morning — as the above security photos were making their way around courthouse staff members.

HN spoke with Anastasia Welsh Perrino, Register of Probate at Barnstable County Probate and Family Court, and she emphasized her appreciation of the good work by court security; “We have good officers,” she said.