Fresno County officials propose allowing prosecutors to carry firearms

Fresno County officials are considering a new ordinance that would allow prosecutors to carry concealed firearms on county property. The proposal follows a daylight stabbing in which a senior deputy district attorney was stabbed three times in the back outside Courthouse Park in downtown Fresno.

County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld is collaborating with Sheriff John Zanoni and District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp to advance the measure. Smittcamp has criticized current restrictions that prohibit her from carrying a weapon on county property, describing the situation as ‘kind of ridiculous’ given the death threats prosecutors have received.

The proposal is expected to be presented to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in the coming weeks. Other supervisors, including Luis Chavez and Nathan Magsig, have expressed support for the measure to ensure prosecutors are recognized as part of the public safety community.