Posted on 11/01/2011 5:11:55 AM PDT by marktwain
The Casper City Council has pulled the trigger on a proposed ordinance prohibiting carrying firearms in local government meetings, setting up a showdown with gun rights advocates.
“The proposal we have, is that weapons, open carry weapons, be banned from government meetings,” said Casper Police Chief Chris Walsh to the council at its work session last week, adding later, “This just mirrors what was already set in place in state statute for concealed weapons.”
The issue arose after last year’s legislature removed the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, though still prohibiting concealed guns at governmental meetings and some other venues, such as at schools. The statute, however, didn’t restrict open carry guns, and that raised concerns for the council.
“I don’t think this is about a homicidal maniac,” said council member Kim Holloway. “This is about being able to have a meeting free from intimidation, without somebody who comes in with their AK-47 because they’re going to express their second amendment rights.”
The council will bring the weapons ban ordinance up for first reading at its regular meeting Nov. 1, and they anticipate gun rights supporters will be out in force.
“I have a feeling this will be a very passionate discussion,” said Mayor Paul Bertoglio. “I’m going to assume we’re going to have people openly carrying weapons in there. How do you want to handle this, Chief?”
“I fully anticipate people with open carry weapons. It’s absolutely legal. As long as those weapons stay holstered, it shouldn’t be an issue. We’ll have resources there,” Walsh told the council. “They’re only going to damage their point if they start brandishing weapons, and if they start brandishing weapons, they’ll be open to a crime immediately.”
(Excerpt) Read more at casperjournal.com ...
From the statements in the article it looks like it’s going to be a proper old row-de-dow.
When will these eedjits get it through their self-righteous little heads that it is precisely these “safe zones” where guns are banned that are most attractive to a berserker psycho because he knows there will be nobody to resist his homicidal mania?
Well look at who's behind it. Why it's the police! What a surprise since so many freepers seem to think that the police are there to protect theri rights (which they're not).
Hear, hear!! More stupid from the Thin Skinned Line. I wonder if the chief is going to include his boys in the ban.
They don’t like when the people know from whence power comes.
Wyoming is a conservative state. The few big towns are dominated by liberals.
Who don’t like constitutional carry.
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