Ensign says of courthouse security “it worked”
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., praised security workers at the Lloyd George courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.
Ensign went to the courthouse, where he and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., have offices, following reports of a shooting that wounded a deputy U.S. Marshal and killed a security worker.
The shooting occured near the entrance where the gunman reportedly opened fire at the security barrier before fleeing and being shot by law enforcement officials.
"Security is there for a reason and it worked," Ensign told reporters at the scene, what if any security enhancements should be implemented.
In the past Reid has also addressed the issue of courthouse security.
On his Web site Reid highlights a courthouse shooting in Reno in 2006 in which judge Chuck Weller was wounded.
From Reid's site:
Protecting Our Courthouses
I have been working hard to ensure that our courthouses are protected and shootings, such as the one that injured Judge Chuck Weller in Reno last year, do not take place again. In December 2007, the Senate passed The Court Security Improvement Act which authorizes $45 million in grants for court security improvements and new equipment for security personnel. This bill also enhances criminal penalties for assaulting public officials, prosecutors, and witnesses, and increases protection for judges and their families against the malicious publication of their personal information by those who intend them harm. In order to preserve the freedom and integrity of our judiciary, court personnel must be protected from attacks and reprisals.
