THOMASVILLE, Ga. — As long as the person who left firearm-related paraphernalia at Thomas County Public Library System headquarters had a license to carry a weapon, the items would be allowed at the facility.

Midafternoon Friday, library personnel found a Gerber holster with two loaded Smith & Wesson magazines on top of the copier. Employees found a Gerber pocket knife at the library the previous day.

The items were turned over to police.

The person who left the holster and loaded magazine probably had a weapon with them, said Scott Newberry, Thomasville Police Department detective.

“That’s kind of a little careless leaving things like that lying around,” Newberry said.

If someone wants to claim the items, they should go to the police department at 921 Smith Ave.

“We’ll talk to them about safety issues,” Newberry said.

The officer said it is believed the knife fell from someone’s pocket.

Nancy Tillinghast, library system director, said the law allowing firearms to be taken inside a library by a licensed person was passed by the Georgia General Assembly several years ago.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820