To all of you guys who only post links, this is how you post an article!
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/01/19/az/west_valley/sc01.txt
Published: Jan 19, 2007 - 03:30:09 pm EST
Council may ban weapons: Gun owners upset, decision expected Jan. 18
By Zach Colick, Independent Newspapers
The decision to ban deadly weapons in Youngtown’s city buildings and town council chambers was discussed at length Jan. 4 during a council workshop meeting with arguments presented for both sides.
The hour-long discussion had many Youngtown residents on opposite sides of the fence, despite some who addressed the council saying they owned and carried concealed weapons, and agreed a policy should be adopted to ban them.
Youngtown resident June Miller, who agrees with the ban, carries a concealed weapon for protection, but said she does not feel threatened at town council meetings and believes there is a time and place for everything.
Ms. Miller added she locks her gun in the trunk of her car before attending town council meetings.
To accommodate concealed weapons owners and comply with the law, council members are proposing those individuals who visit any town building will need to place their guns into an individually locked storage receptacle, which would be made available to them upon exiting the premises.
But concealed weapons owners, like resident Ken Champagne, argued the proposed new policy would take away his Second Amendment rights and believes it is a personal attack on him.
Mr. Champagne, who said after the meeting he is running against Mayor Michael LeVault in the March primary election, argued he needs to carry a concealed weapon at all times because of the dangers associated with his job as a tow-truck driver, often working late-night hours.
He disagreed with council members who said he should leave his concealed weapon in his tow-truck.
“You are afraid of your own citizens and don’t want to give them their Second Amendment rights,” Mr. Champagne said. “It is ridiculous to disarm citizens.”
His wife, Patricia, also voiced her concerns with banning weapons, saying she often feels threatened in town parking lots before and after council meetings, and believes carrying a gun may help protect her from threats she receives.
“This town means a lot to me,” Ms. Champagne said.
However, Mayor LeVault said the council should not wait until someone is shot on town premises’ before a policy is changed for the greater good of all residents.
“We owe it to the citizens to provide a safe environment,” he said.
Vice Mayor Larry Oglesby said he has a concealed weapons permit but chooses not to bring his gun to town meetings as protection from the Youngtown Police Department is directly across the parking lot.
With no policy in place banning firearms from town meetings, council member Margaret Chittenden said some residents prefer not to attend, adding that attitude has adversely affected council meeting attendance.
“We don’t want people to be afraid,” Ms. Chittenden said. “We need to protect everyone.”
The discussion will continue during the council’s next work session and council meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Town of Youngtown Clubhouse, 12030 Clubhouse Square, Youngtown, where a decision is expected to be made on the matter.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at newszap.com.
News Editor Zach Colick can be reached at 972-6101 or [email protected].
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/01/19/az/west_valley/sc01.txt
Published: Jan 19, 2007 - 03:30:09 pm EST
Council may ban weapons: Gun owners upset, decision expected Jan. 18
By Zach Colick, Independent Newspapers
The decision to ban deadly weapons in Youngtown’s city buildings and town council chambers was discussed at length Jan. 4 during a council workshop meeting with arguments presented for both sides.
The hour-long discussion had many Youngtown residents on opposite sides of the fence, despite some who addressed the council saying they owned and carried concealed weapons, and agreed a policy should be adopted to ban them.
Youngtown resident June Miller, who agrees with the ban, carries a concealed weapon for protection, but said she does not feel threatened at town council meetings and believes there is a time and place for everything.
Ms. Miller added she locks her gun in the trunk of her car before attending town council meetings.
To accommodate concealed weapons owners and comply with the law, council members are proposing those individuals who visit any town building will need to place their guns into an individually locked storage receptacle, which would be made available to them upon exiting the premises.
But concealed weapons owners, like resident Ken Champagne, argued the proposed new policy would take away his Second Amendment rights and believes it is a personal attack on him.
Mr. Champagne, who said after the meeting he is running against Mayor Michael LeVault in the March primary election, argued he needs to carry a concealed weapon at all times because of the dangers associated with his job as a tow-truck driver, often working late-night hours.
He disagreed with council members who said he should leave his concealed weapon in his tow-truck.
“You are afraid of your own citizens and don’t want to give them their Second Amendment rights,” Mr. Champagne said. “It is ridiculous to disarm citizens.”
His wife, Patricia, also voiced her concerns with banning weapons, saying she often feels threatened in town parking lots before and after council meetings, and believes carrying a gun may help protect her from threats she receives.
“This town means a lot to me,” Ms. Champagne said.
However, Mayor LeVault said the council should not wait until someone is shot on town premises’ before a policy is changed for the greater good of all residents.
“We owe it to the citizens to provide a safe environment,” he said.
Vice Mayor Larry Oglesby said he has a concealed weapons permit but chooses not to bring his gun to town meetings as protection from the Youngtown Police Department is directly across the parking lot.
With no policy in place banning firearms from town meetings, council member Margaret Chittenden said some residents prefer not to attend, adding that attitude has adversely affected council meeting attendance.
“We don’t want people to be afraid,” Ms. Chittenden said. “We need to protect everyone.”
The discussion will continue during the council’s next work session and council meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Town of Youngtown Clubhouse, 12030 Clubhouse Square, Youngtown, where a decision is expected to be made on the matter.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues Forum at newszap.com.
News Editor Zach Colick can be reached at 972-6101 or [email protected].
