Castle Rock Votes To Repeal Concealed Carry Ban
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4) - After a passionate debate over gun rights in Castle Rock on Tuesday night, the town council has approved more permissive concealed carry laws.
People in Castle Rock will soon be able to openly carry guns in public buildings and parks.
Late Tuesday night by a 4-3 vote by the Castle Rock town council repealed the ban on open carry of guns in those locations.
More than 60 residents spoke out on both sides during Tuesday's meeting.
The council will meet again on Jan. 28 for a second reading of the law. That's expected to be largely a formality. When that happens, open carry will officially be lifted next month.
"We got a lot of feedback from a lot of constituents," said Mayor Paul Donahue said. "People are pretty emotional about this."
Donahue said he's "glad for the residents of Castle Rock in terms of their liberties."
"I like to think that we upheld (those) here," he told CBS4.
The following were some of the comments from opponents of lifting the ban during the meeting:
"I don't need to see guns in my every day... going to the store."
"The right to keep and bear arms is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever," said Carroll Hood.
"If you, Town Council, repeal the existing ban, I as a volunteer serving on the planning commission will resign," said Planning Committee member Barbara Dash.
The following were some of the comments from supporters of lifting the ban during the meeting:
"Open carriers are not criminals."
"Treat criminals like criminals, treat citizens like good people, which we are," said Jeff Meek. "Do not amend the liberty, restore it and vote to repeal."
"The more guns in law-abiding citizens' hands in society, the more civil society is."
