By Gordon Anderson | gordon@rantnc.com
A Lee County sheriff’s deputy wrote that District Court Judge Brian Lewis was “waving” a firearm while demonstrating its laser sight during an open court session in July, with the laser scanning across the face of a clerk working in the courtroom.
The statement, obtained through a public records request, was written by a deputy who said he witnessed the July 17 incident inside the courtroom. WRAL reported on July 24 that allegations Lewis had displayed the gun in court were referred to the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission, but specifics about the incident – including Lewis’ name – were attributed to “a source.”
Deputy Blake Oldham’s statement provides details of the alleged incident that weren’t available when it was first made public.
Oldham wrote that Lewis was behind the bench around noon on July 17 during an open session of court when the judge took a holstered firearm from his pocket. As the two discussed firearms and holsters, Oldham said, Lewis removed the gun — described in the statement only as “small” — from its holster and said, “I love the LED on this.”
Lewis then pointed the firearm in the direction of the courtroom clerk and activated its laser, according to Oldham.
“While waving the firearm around to show the laser’s projection, the laser in fact scanned across the face of (the clerk), also meaning the barrel of the firearm did as well,” Oldham wrote.
Oldham said Lewis apologized: “Oh, Sorry about that.”
The Rant reached out to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Tuesday seeking comment from Lewis and will update this story if he provides one.
The statement is undated. The Rant requested public records relating to the incident on July 24.
Lewis is a Republican who serves Lee, Harnett and Johnston counties and was first elected in 2024 without opposition. According to his campaign website, he served in the Air Force and became an attorney in 2013, prosecuting cases in Durham and Cumberland counties before his election to the bench.
Proceedings of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission are confidential under North Carolina law unless disciplinary action is taken. State law allows judges to carry firearms in courtrooms under certain conditions.
I can’t even take a cellphone into the courthouse, much less a gun. This guy should be removed.
Every one jumping on the band wagon to get this judge? A republican, must not be what they want!
Where was the good guy with a gun?
Imbecile!!!
That was irresponsible , a gun is not a toy, I imagine it was scary for the clerk & everyone in the courtroom
Judges are not above the law. Laws are written to protect the rights of others. When you break a law, you risk losing your rights. In this case Judge Lewis should lose his right to bear arms, especially in the court room.
If Judge Lewis is the man that his peers claim, he should not argue his case and be willing to accept the decision of the State Attorney General.