UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND WEAPONS
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES COURTHOUSES GENERAL ORDER
IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK NO. 154
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
The following procedures will apply to all persons, including law enforcement
personnel, as it relates to possession of firearms in Western District of New York
Courthouses1:
1. All persons, including law enforcement officers, other than United States
Marshals Service (USMS) employees, are required to leave their firearms or
weapons at Court Security Officer (CSO) Post 12 weapons lock up point for
safekeeping before they are admitted to the Courthouse past CSO Post 1.3
2. The possession of firearms or weapons in a courtroom is limited to employees
of the USMS.
3. In the event that a high security or high safety risk exists in a courtroom, other
law enforcement officers may be allowed to possess weapons if authorized by
the U.S. Marshal or his designee, with the consent and approval of the presiding
judge.
1
For purposes of this General Order, the Courthouse at the Kenneth B. Keating
Federal Building refers to the court spaces in that federal building.
2
USMS provides secure storage areas for weapons located in the first-floor lobby of
each Courthouse at CSO Post 1.
3
United States Probation Officers (USPO) for the Western District of New York,
Federal Protective Services Police (FPS) and their Physical Security Officers (PSO) are
not required to lock up their firearms or weapons while on duty, but they are not permitted
to possess their firearms in a courtroom except pursuant to the terms of paragraph 3 herein.
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4. The U.S. Marshal or his designee may authorize other law enforcement officers
to possess weapons inside the Courthouse based on his or his designees’
discretion.
5. The effective date of this Order shall be January 25, 2022.
SO ORDERED.
ELIZABETH A. WOLFORD
Chief Judge
United States District Court
Dated: January 20, 2022
Rochester, New York
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