Dave Workman
Regular Member
imported post
First Seattle, now this.
I don't believe in coincidences. We need to find out if this is being generated by CeaseFire or Mayors Against Gun Ownership or what...
[b ]Council bans firearms in parks[/b]
By Leif Nesheim - The Daily World
Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
Montesano is joining the ranks of cities banning firearms from their parks. The City Council has adopted a new parks ordinance describing activities prohibited in city parks. Among them is a ban on all firearms.
The council approved the new law by a split 4-3 vote on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced a new policy banning firearms on all city property, including parks. Critics of Seattle’s policy said the move violates state law and the rights of legally authorized gun owners. Washington state law prohibits local governments from enacting gun laws that are stricter than state codes but does allow cities to ban guns from city-owned stadiums, convention centers and the workplace, where the city is the employer.
“You guys are working really hard to take away my right to carry a gun,” said Councilman Albert Collins. He said the city shouldn’t take away the constitutional rights of people who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. “If we have a permit to carry it, we should be OK.”
Voting against the ban were Collins, newly appointed Chris Hutchings and Nick Swinhart. Councilmen Chris Thomas, Doug Streeter, Pat Herrington and Rich Klinger voted for the ordinance.
Mike Bruner, city parks and recreation director, said the Parks and Recreation Committee considered the issue at length during the two years the new ordinance was crafted.
In the end, the committee decided parks should have the same restrictions on weapons as Montesano’s schools, Bruner said.
Montesano Police Chief Ray Sowers said it is difficult for officers to determine at a glance if a concealed weapon is carried legally with a permit or if the person has the weapon illegally. The city’s new law exempts police from the firearms ban.
Montesano resident Steve Hepp, who has a state-issued concealed weapons permit, said he and others should be allowed to carry a weapon as allowed by state law. He also urged the council to adopt later park hours for people like he and his wife, who like to take late night strolls. The city’s parks are closed from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Hutchings said he wasn’t pleased with all the restrictions placed on pets in the parks.
“We like to play with our dogs in the parks,” he said. Pets must be leashed and are prohibited from areas covered by turf, picnic areas, sport courts or inbounds play areas.
Hutchings and Collins somewhat jokingly said they wouldn’t want their guns and dogs to run into each other.
First Seattle, now this.
I don't believe in coincidences. We need to find out if this is being generated by CeaseFire or Mayors Against Gun Ownership or what...
[b ]Council bans firearms in parks[/b]
By Leif Nesheim - The Daily World
Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
Montesano is joining the ranks of cities banning firearms from their parks. The City Council has adopted a new parks ordinance describing activities prohibited in city parks. Among them is a ban on all firearms.
The council approved the new law by a split 4-3 vote on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced a new policy banning firearms on all city property, including parks. Critics of Seattle’s policy said the move violates state law and the rights of legally authorized gun owners. Washington state law prohibits local governments from enacting gun laws that are stricter than state codes but does allow cities to ban guns from city-owned stadiums, convention centers and the workplace, where the city is the employer.
“You guys are working really hard to take away my right to carry a gun,” said Councilman Albert Collins. He said the city shouldn’t take away the constitutional rights of people who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. “If we have a permit to carry it, we should be OK.”
Voting against the ban were Collins, newly appointed Chris Hutchings and Nick Swinhart. Councilmen Chris Thomas, Doug Streeter, Pat Herrington and Rich Klinger voted for the ordinance.
Mike Bruner, city parks and recreation director, said the Parks and Recreation Committee considered the issue at length during the two years the new ordinance was crafted.
In the end, the committee decided parks should have the same restrictions on weapons as Montesano’s schools, Bruner said.
Montesano Police Chief Ray Sowers said it is difficult for officers to determine at a glance if a concealed weapon is carried legally with a permit or if the person has the weapon illegally. The city’s new law exempts police from the firearms ban.
Montesano resident Steve Hepp, who has a state-issued concealed weapons permit, said he and others should be allowed to carry a weapon as allowed by state law. He also urged the council to adopt later park hours for people like he and his wife, who like to take late night strolls. The city’s parks are closed from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Hutchings said he wasn’t pleased with all the restrictions placed on pets in the parks.
“We like to play with our dogs in the parks,” he said. Pets must be leashed and are prohibited from areas covered by turf, picnic areas, sport courts or inbounds play areas.
Hutchings and Collins somewhat jokingly said they wouldn’t want their guns and dogs to run into each other.