Prohibited Items

Items you may not bring to the Courthouse

The following items may not be carried into the Whatcom County Courthouse. This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Items that, in the judgment of security staff and law enforcement personnel pose a threat to the security of the courts and may be prohibited in addition to the items included in this list. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to the following.


Firearms and/or parts of firearms
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Flare guns and/or flares
  • Gun lighters
  • Realistic replicas of guns and toy guns
  • Other items capable of firing/launching a projectile capable of causing serious bodily injury or death 
Impact Weapons
  • Bats / clubs / pool cues
  • Maglite
  • Long metal bike locks
Other Items
  • Tear gas and self-defense sprays including CN, CS, OC
  • Stun guns / tasers / electronic defense devices
  • Narcotics / illicit drugs / drug paraphernalia
  • Handcuffs and handcuff keys
  • Skateboards
  • Studded helmets
  • Long or large chains
  • Alcohol
  • Aerosol Cans
Edged Weapons and Sharp Objects
  • Knives / swords / any edged weapons 
  • Pocket knives / shanks
  • Razors and box cutters
  • Bows / arrows
  • Corkscrews
  • Knitting Needles (Blunt crochet hooks are okay)
  • Other edged weapons / sharp objects capable of causing serious bodily injury or death
Explosive, Flammable Materials, Chemicals
  • Blasting caps
  • Dynamite, plastic explosive or any other explosive compound or material
  • Improvised explosive devices (IED)
  • Improvised explosive device components
  • Fireworks, Flares
  • Hand grenades
  • Replicas or simulated explosive devices and materials
  • Gasoline and other fuels
  • Flammable liquids and/or gels
  • Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)

  • Fighting knuckles composed of any metal
  • Martial arts weapons including nunchucks and throwing stars
  • Night sticks / batons / expandable batons / ku batons / tire irons / crow bars
  • Other items capable of causing serious bodily injury or death when used as an impact weapon