Castle Rock Counting Ballots In 'Open Carry' Special Election
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4)- The ballots are being counted in Castle Rock for the special election that will determine whether firearms can be carried openly in town buildings and parks.
"There's nothing wrong with guns, it's the people using the guns," said one voter.
"I feel like we'd be going back to the 1800s with the rootin' tootin' cowboys," said another voter.
"I believe that we have the right to keep and bear arms because of the constitution and that's the way I typically vote," said yet another voter.
The special election is the latest in a series of events regarding the controversial open carry measure. In January, the town council voted to allow the open carry of firearms in town buildings and parks but not schools or courts. Residents who opposed the move forced an election on the issue.
Currently, the town manager has the authority over the open carry of firearms in public buildings and parks. Voters are being asked whether to remove that authority and whether future decisions on gun restrictions should be left to voters to decide.
The election has been plagued by allegations about the Castle Rock mayor's ties to pro-gun groups.
There was also a failed lawsuit over the open carry special election. Marilyn Marks claimed there was a lack of secrecy sleeves for voters who cast ballots.
"This town has taken the position of 'voters be dammed. We're going to do what we want to do,'" said Marks at Tuesday's city council meeting.
It could take up to a week to tally all the votes.
