Open Carry Threatened in Castle Rock

[GilpinGuy]

LINK

Politicians in Castle Rock, Colo. may be shooting themselves in the foot this week by attempting to further restrict the Second Amendment rights of their constituents. In an act demonstrating an acute case of tone-deafness to the state’s current political environment, the Castle Rock Town Council is scheduled to evaluate a broad ban on open carry this Tuesday.

The necessity of such a ban is puzzling because, according to the mayor, in 11 years, he has never seen a single person open carry in the town other than himself. As the council members embark upon this solution looking for a problem, they deserve every drop of constituent push back headed their way.


The proposed ban will cover “municipally-owned, operated or leased: offices, buildings, parks, trails and open space areas, and other recreation facilities and areas, including but not limited to, swimming pools and golf courses.”


Notice the open-ended definition of “other recreation facilities and areas” being “not limited to…” People jog and push strollers along city owned sidewalks – could the enforcers decide that sidewalks, which are government-owned, are one of the “areas” included in the ban, essentially outlawing open carry in the entire town? Of course later in the proposal there is a carve out that allows agents of the government to exercise open carry on municipal property.


After the recall of two sitting state senators, and the resignation of a third, partially because of their anti-Second Amendment votes and wholly because of their refusal to listen to constituents, we are astonished that the elected leaders of Castle Rock would want to go anywhere near these issues – especially considering that people generally do not open carry in the town. But if they want to open this Pandora’s Box on Tuesday, we will stand beside the freedom-loving citizens of Castle Rock.


Interested parties may attend the meeting scheduled for 6:00 PM on Tuesday 12/3 at the Castle Rock Town Hall, 100 North Wilcox. According to the published agenda, the open carry ban will be discussed from 6:20 – 7:20 PM, with the opportunity for citizen input in four minute speaking segments. The meeting can also be viewed online here.

[T-Giv]

Yikes not a very smart move there!

[Ronin13]

Meh... I found out during a ride along a few months ago that Golden (of all places) has a no-open carry ordinance. Boulder, Denver, Golden, and I can't recall what other CO cities have no open carry ordinances... Some are not really surprising (Golden is). I just love how cities can institute something contrary to what's allowed by state law...

[Dave_L]

I went to the meeting last night and there was a great turn out of support. The council opted to not proceed on the expansion along with repealing the current ban. The motion is set and there will be another reading of it to move forward on the repeal. The council said that at the first reading of the expansion proposal, there was quite a bit of support for the expansion. Then last night, it was all opposition for it. I assume there will be a mixed crowd at the next round so we'll have to be sure we show up in good numbers again. But, it was a small victory in the mean time.

[KevDen2005]

Doesn't surprise me in Douglas County or Castle Rock. All the Californians moving there claiming to be freedom lovers but want to change everything is completely astonishing

[lowbeyond]

its funny. people see others open carrying all the time. only they are cops

apparently clothes are magic. its a funny reaction/no reaction binary set, actually no, its pathetic

[BPTactical]

I just love how cities can institute something contrary to what's allowed by state law...

Can you say: "Home Rule"?
Sure......I knew you could......

[hatidua]

I wasn't aware it was a no-no here in Boulder, I've seen a few people on my daily hike OC'ing. I found it unusual at the time as it's just not that commonly seen, but wasn't aware I was witnessing someone fracturing an ordinance when I saw it.

[KevDen2005]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it also may be illegal in Vail. I don't ever go there so not sure.

[LippCJ7]

I don't see it happening, I know at least one of the candidates running for Sheriff was there also, two of the Sheriffs candidates are very pro 2a as well(Tony and John).

As always time will tell, but you got to love a City Council that starts its meetings with a prayer.