FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno County personnel in the District Attorney’s Office, including prosecutors and special investigators, will soon be allowed to carry concealed firearms in county buildings and parks under a new county policy.

County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said the policy is intended to improve safety.

“Really the whole goal of this is safety. It’s unfortunate that we need to have an ordinance like this,” Magsig said.

The change comes about a month after a senior deputy district attorney was attacked at Courthouse Park in downtown Fresno and stabbed multiple times by someone he had prosecuted in the past.

Magsig believes the outcome could have been different if the victim or another deputy district attorney had been armed.

“The way I look at it, fortunately that individual is recovering from their injuries but if any one of those deputy DA’s were armed, it’s possibly they could’ve prevented that attack,” Magsig said.

District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp told Action News that there is a lack of respect for law enforcement and said law enforcement officials have become targets.

“We’re going to do things legally, morally, ethically, but we’re not going to sit back and allow ourselves to be victimized,” Smittcamp said.

Under the policy, the district attorney will have full authority to decide which members of the office staff may carry firearms. Employees approved to carry will be required to pass a shooting test twice a year.

The county also plans to install lock boxes in courtrooms and at the District Attorney’s Office.

The current policy already allows county supervisors and their staff, the county administrative officer, and county counsel to carry firearms.

In June, the Board of Supervisors extended authority to the county administrative officer to determine which county employees may carry weapons, including firearms, pepper spray, and tasers.

Magsig said some county employees work in situations where they may encounter potential dangers.

“People who work for the AG department out in rural areas are coming into contact with wild animals. We also have people who work with animal services gathering household pets. Whether that be dogs or cats,” Magsig said.

Opponents of the policy argue that bringing firearms into already high-stressed government environments could increase risks during tense situations.

Magsig defended the policy, saying it is necessary to protect county workers and the public.

“I think that these ordinances are absolutely necessary to protect individuals who work here downtown, not only for themselves, but also to protect other members of the public,” he said.

The changes are scheduled to take effect in 30 days and will apply on county property when employees are performing county duties.

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