IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

                       ORDER NO.   1321    

                                   Adopting Administrative Rule
                                   26.2 on court security.

IT IS ORDERED:

     The Administrative Rules are amended to include new
Administrative Rule 26.2 which reads:

               Rule 26.2.  Court Security.
          
               (a)  No person may possess a weapon on
the premises of any court facility, or in the portion of any other
building occupied by the court system, unless the  weapon is to be
used as evidence in a court proceeding.  The term weapon includes
firearms, knives, and chemical agents such as mace and pepper
spray.  This rule does not apply to: 
          
               (1)  a peace officer;
          
               (2)  a private uniformed security guard
employed by a financial institution or private security service who
is transporting money or other valuables; 
          
               (3)  a private security guard under
contract with the court system to provide security services within
a court facility who possesses a weapon authorized under the
contract;
          
               (4)  a judicial officer; or 
          
               (5)  a person who has written
authorization from the administrative director to possess a weapon
on court premises.  This authorization will be given only upon a
showing of good cause and only for a specified period of time.  If
the weapon is a concealed handgun, the person must have a valid
permit to carry this weapon.      
          
               (b)  The exemptions listed in (a)(1)-(3)
apply only to persons acting within the scope and authority of
their employment.  A peace officer or private security guard who is
participating in or attending a court proceeding outside the scope
of his or her employment, whether as a party, witness, victim, or
other interested person, is not permitted to bring a weapon onto
court premises unless authorized to do so under (a)(5).
          
               (c)  A judicial officer must notify the
administrative director prior to bringing a weapon into a court
facility.  If the weapon is a concealed handgun, the judicial
officer must have a valid permit to carry this weapon. 
          
               (d)  Weapons to be used as evidence in
court proceedings must be marked and prepared as directed by the
administrative director by administrative bulletin.  Each presiding
judge may prescribe procedures for courts within that judge's
district requiring prior notification to designated court personnel
before weapons to be used as evidence may be brought onto court
premises.
          
               Cross Reference: See Administrative
Bulletin No. 9, section IV(C), on exhibit procedures.




DATED:         April 9, 1998           

EFFECTIVE DATE:     April 14, 1998     



                                   ______________________________
                                   Chief Justice Matthews


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Compton


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Eastaugh


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Fabe
     

                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Bryner