Posted on 12/22/2011 3:52:27 AM PST by marktwain
An armed officer dressed in a suit and tie stood behind Casper City Council on Tuesday as members patiently listened to seven arguments for or against banning openly carried weapons in city meetings.
In the end, votes remained the same as those cast at the previous council meeting. Weapons are no longer allowed in city government meetings.
“I expect this issue is not going to go away,” Mayor Paul Bertoglio said.
He and council members Keith Goodenough, Bill Brauer and Maury Daubin opposed the ordinance that would restrict weapons in city government meetings. Council members Kate Sarosy, Paul Meyer, Kenyne Schlager, Kim Holloway and Charlie Powell supported the measure.
Opponents argued that the ordinance is unconstitutional and an encroachment on Second Amendment rights. Anthony Bouchard, Wyoming Gun Owners executive director, said it is at the local level that rights are slowly eroded.
“It’s almost a good thing they did it because it’s going to wake up a lot of people,” he said.
In response to the constitutional arguments, Bertoglio said the council has not ignored the document, as the Constitution allows local governments flexibility.
Council members have cited reasons for enacting the law including: addressing a discrepancy between open- and concealed-carry laws, since it is already illegal to carry a concealed weapon at meetings; protecting public safety; and creating a place for free speech without intimidation.
Bertoglio has said in the past that his opposition to the ordinance is based on his belief that it is not necessary.
“Passing this ordinance will do nothing to make us safer. Nothing,” Bertoglio said.
Guns have no place in council chambers, whether held by audience members or the extra officers assigned to the meeting, and there have been no past problems to spark legislation, Bertoglio said.
(Excerpt) Read more at trib.com ...
Instead of worrying about weapons in the meetings, just pass a law banning murder. Then everyone will be safe.
Make guns required at city meetings. Then it’s all equal.
The town’s people can do one of three things:
1) Run these politicians out on a rail,
2) recall them,
3) or wait until the next election, have several pro-firearms citizens run, and vote the anti-gunners out decisively.
Near 100% certainty that a) these people are NOT from Wyoming, and b) are commie-libs, and c) have never touched a gun in their entire lives.
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