(a) Searches. All persons entering a courtroom are subject to search by the United States
Marshal, a Deputy United States Marshal, a Court Security Officer, or another officer
authorized by the court, as are all briefcases, parcels, or other containers carried by persons
entering a courtroom.
(b) Persons in Bar Enclosure. Except by leave of a judicial officer, only members of the bar
of this court may be seated within the bar enclosure.
(c) Weapons. With the exception of weapons carried by the Marshal, Deputy Marshals, Court
Security Officers, or Federal Protective Officers, no weapons, other than exhibits, are
permitted in any courtroom. No other person, including any federal law enforcement agent,
shall bring a weapon other than an exhibit into any courtroom except as specifically set
forth in this rule. No firearm intended for introduction as an exhibit may be brought into
any courtroom unless it is first presented to a Marshal or Deputy Marshal for a safety check
and the marshal reports to the deputy clerk that the check has been completed.
(d) Prisoner Transportation. Nothing in this rule shall be construed as precluding (1) a
federal law enforcement officer having custody or in charge of the transportation of a
federal prisoner from carrying a firearm in a courtroom on the occasion of proceedings
under Fed. R. Civ. P. 5 or (2) a duly authorized correctional officer of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, entrusted with responsibility of transporting a state prisoner for civil or
criminal proceedings before a judicial officer where a Deputy Marshal is unavailable for
such purpose, from carrying a firearm in a courtroom. The judicial officer must, however,
be advised in advance of that fact.
Effective September 1, 1990.
