Common Sense in our Courtrooms - Please

Today's courtroom shootings in Atlanta beg the obvious questions:

Why do security personnel continue to carry loaded weapons into our courtrooms? Loaded weapons invite tragedies. An accused criminal intent on escape from a courtroom might be able to punch or kick a few people, and possibly even escape. But to where, and for how long? Could he hijack a car or take someone hostage without a weapon? Chances are he would hole up in hiding somewhere, and be caught rather quickly - without bloodshed.

If security personnel think they "must" have loaded weapons in a courtroom - why are defendants not handcuffed? It is standard police practice to handcuff (and often shackle the the legs of) accused criminals when transporting them. Once the accused arrives in the courtroom, it is usually up to the presiding judge as to whether or not he/she will allow the removal of restraints. Removal of such restraining devices in the courtroom is considered humane and less degrading to the accused. This is all well and good if there are no loaded weapons in close proximity to the accused. Otherwise it's a "no-brainer".

It is naive in the extreme to shrug our shoulders and proclaim that we can't protect ourselves from individuals bent on criminal behavior. Metal detectors are found at entrances to nearly every courthouse in the land - to prevent just such a tragedy. Maybe it's time for "all" weapons to be checked at the door. Simple common sense would have saved three lives today.