People cannot carry concealed handguns in 52 of the city's 69 parks under an ordinance approved by the Winston-Salem City Council on Monday night.
But people with concealed-carry permits will be allowed to carry concealed handguns in the 17 city parks that have no playgrounds, swimming pools or athletics fields. State law doesn't allow cities to forbid firearms at smaller parks that have only benches such as Grace Court or Winston Square, City Manager Lee Garrity said.
And even at parks where guns aren't allowed, people with concealed-weapons permits can keep guns in their trunks, glove boxes or another enclosed compartment in locked vehicles in the parks' parking lots.
The council voted 7-1 to approve the ordinance that changes the city code regarding the possession and discharge of firearms. Council member James Taylor Jr. opposed the measure.
The council made the changes after the N.C. General Assembly passed a law in July that allows people with concealed-weapons permits to carry concealed handguns in parks. The state law allows local governments to exempt parks that meet certain criteria, including parks that have athletics fields or playgrounds.
City Attorney Angela Carmon said that if the council didn't approve the ordinance, then the existing city code regarding firearms would be invalid and the Winston-Salem police couldn't enforce it. The old code didn't allow guns in any parks.
Council member Vivian Burke said the council had to take action.
"We have too much at stake," Burke said. "We don't want to tie the hands of the police."
Taylor said he was opposed to the ordinance in part because it allows people to carry concealed handguns to 17 parks. There are 2,014 concealed-handgun permits in Forsyth County, and Taylor has one of them, he said.
"I don't support guns in public parks," Taylor said.
Police Chief Scott Cunningham said that his officers will enforce the ordinance.
Forsyth County officials also are looking at an ordinance that would prohibit handguns at county-owned parks in light of the state law, which takes effect Dec. 1.
The city ordinance still prohibits the discharge of any gun, rifle, pistol or any other firearm within the city limits, including in parks.
The ordinance also prohibits the possession or carrying a handgun, rifle, pistol or any other firearm in any city-owned building.
The city will post signs at the entrances of its parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, athletic fields and athletic facilities about this ordinance. The signs will cost about $7,600, said Tim Grant, the city's director of recreation and parks.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement