chevydeerhunter
Well-Known
By Eric Finley | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Friday, November 07, 2008
Story last updated at 11/7/2008 - 1:42 am
A majority of City Council members shot down a resolution that would have banned concealed handguns at public meetings.
Councilwoman Linda DeLeon, who presented the resolution Thursday, said she has seen a concealed gun at a council meeting. She said the state's penal code allows the council to post signs banning weapons at public meetings.
But other council members said her resolution conflicted with exemptions allowed by the state Legislature. And a majority said concealed weapons made the council chamber a safer place in light of shootings in other parts of the country.
The state's local government code gives the council authority to restrict weapons, but not for those who are licensed to conceal one. The names of people with concealed handgun licenses are not public information.
"It doesn't even make sense," Councilman John Leonard said. "We can't do what we're talking about doing."
DeLeon and Councilman Floyd Price, a sheriff's deputy and retired police officer, were the only members of the seven-member council to support the ban. Mayor Tom Martin, a retired police chief, opposed it.
The Lubbock police chief attends meetings, protecting those attending, DeLeon said. More guns aren't needed, she argued.
"I don't know how the citizens would feel knowing that there are individuals packing while they're sitting there in the audience," she said. "I'm uncomfortable by it."
Mrs. DeLeon went on to say, "and I think the suggestion by the numbers that voted it down, I may be looking to get my own permit." What a friggin' hypocrite!
By the way, Mrs. DeLeon is the representative of probably the most crime-ridden area in Lubbock. I would think there are more pressing matters to attend to rather than her selfish matters.
EverythingLubbock.com Media Player
Friday, November 07, 2008
Story last updated at 11/7/2008 - 1:42 am
A majority of City Council members shot down a resolution that would have banned concealed handguns at public meetings.
Councilwoman Linda DeLeon, who presented the resolution Thursday, said she has seen a concealed gun at a council meeting. She said the state's penal code allows the council to post signs banning weapons at public meetings.
But other council members said her resolution conflicted with exemptions allowed by the state Legislature. And a majority said concealed weapons made the council chamber a safer place in light of shootings in other parts of the country.
The state's local government code gives the council authority to restrict weapons, but not for those who are licensed to conceal one. The names of people with concealed handgun licenses are not public information.
"It doesn't even make sense," Councilman John Leonard said. "We can't do what we're talking about doing."
DeLeon and Councilman Floyd Price, a sheriff's deputy and retired police officer, were the only members of the seven-member council to support the ban. Mayor Tom Martin, a retired police chief, opposed it.
The Lubbock police chief attends meetings, protecting those attending, DeLeon said. More guns aren't needed, she argued.
"I don't know how the citizens would feel knowing that there are individuals packing while they're sitting there in the audience," she said. "I'm uncomfortable by it."
Mrs. DeLeon went on to say, "and I think the suggestion by the numbers that voted it down, I may be looking to get my own permit." What a friggin' hypocrite!
By the way, Mrs. DeLeon is the representative of probably the most crime-ridden area in Lubbock. I would think there are more pressing matters to attend to rather than her selfish matters.
EverythingLubbock.com Media Player