Officials considering ban to open carry of guns in Jeffco buildings
This should be a good topic. I don't think it is a bad idea. So convince me otherwise. We will never change peoples' fear of guns by open carrying.
Jefferson County may bar citizens from openly carrying firearms in some county buildings.
Sheriff Ted Mink on Tuesday asked the Board of County Commissioners to consider passing an ordinance restricting guns from certain county buildings because, in recent weeks, people have brought firearms into his office and to a Department of Human Services building.
Current county ordinance allows citizens to openly carry their guns into the buildings, but Mink said employees reported feeling uneasy and, in some cases, reported that citizens became confrontational when asked to leave their guns in their vehicles.
"It's not to take away anyone's Second Amendment rights," Mink said. "But in some cases, it helps to remove that visual sight of a gun in situations that can be kind of volatile."
The proposed ordinance would give the sheriff's office authority to complete threat assessments of county owned or leased buildings and decide which buildings are most vulnerable. Buildings where the ban may be put into place would have signs at all entrances alerting people that they are not allowed to openly carry their guns — such as in a visible holster.
The ban would not affect gun owners who have obtained a concealed-carry permit. Citizens are not allowed to carry any guns into secured buildings, such as the courthouse, where people must pass through metal detectors.
Law enforcement and security officers would be exempt from the ordinance.
While similar policies have been introduced in other counties along the Front Range, regulations on carrying guns into county buildings vary widely across the metro area.
Openly carrying guns is prohibited in all Denver city and county buildings, but concealed carry is allowed in buildings that do not have secure entrances.
There are no restrictions on allowing people to carry their guns into Larimer County buildings, spokeswoman Deni La Rue said. Citizens are not allowed to bring their guns into the county's secured justice center.
But in Boulder County, a broad policy bans open carry in all county owned and leased buildings, spokeswoman Barbara Halpin said. County commissioners may approve special events — for example, a gun show at the county fairgrounds.
Jefferson County commissioners said they want to avoid a "blanket" application of restrictions and prefer to give the sheriff's department the ability to assess the needs of the more than 50 buildings owned or leased by the county.
The sheriff's office, two human services buildings and the 1st Judicial District Attorney's office are currently listed as buildings that would be included in the ban.
The three-member board will hear more staff comments in briefings before the proposed ordinance is placed on the commissioners' agenda for a hearing and vote.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jsteffendp
