Officials considering ban to open carry of guns in Jeffco buildings

[SuperiorDG]

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

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[Rabid]

Maybe because it is unconstitutional?

The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons.

[lowbeyond]

Lets see.

Completely legal exercising of a right, but some government employee got scared so lets ban open carry. Oh except for those who are wearing magic clothes which somehow make people feel all warm and toasty.

Ya know what, that government paper pusher can quit.

Its not my job, nor obligation in life to make people feel a certain way. They can whine and cry and shit their pants all they want, i don't care, and hell i don't even OC

[RblDiver]

Sounds like a dumb idea to me. Do they allow concealed carry in the building? And if they only allow concealed carries to carry openly, won't every single one who does get harassed and have to "prove" it each time?

[00tec]

Female drivers scare me. Lets ban those too.

[sellersm]

I think they should ban open carry of fists! I know guys who can kill with their bare hands! They certainly don't want Chuck Norris in there... Or what about feet? Or pencils? Or, <gasp>, those tactical PENS!! OH MY! The amount of lack of logic behind this is frightening.

[Aloha_Shooter]

We will never change peoples' fear of guns by open carrying.

I'm not a big open carry guy but I think you proceed from a false premise. It's been proven time and time again that people do get used to seeing something through repetition. Fear of guns wasn't a problem when it was a common everyday sight; it's an issue now because people see it so rarely and the movies/TV/video games have blown up a huge mystique about guns. I don't have an issue with banning open carry in buildings or areas where you can prove there's a real potential problem, e.g., courthouses or LE buildings because emotions run high during court cases and legal proceedings, but bans shouldn't be based on Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, and Disinformation.

[avandelay]

We have too many special snowflakes to not offend or scare someone in this PC world. Seems to me that if they routinely get into vocal confrontations and are concerned for their safety that they would rather be able to see the firearm as opposed to assuming that it doesn't exist if they can't see it.

[Ronin13]

Ya know what, that government paper pusher can quit.

Its not my job, nor obligation in life to make people feel a certain way. They can whine and cry and shit their pants all they want, i don't care, and hell i don't even OC

I know the man personally and he's a really good guy (he's actually pro gun, but he's also insanely loyal to county employees). Problem is, not much in the way of stopping him right now, he's on his way out the door, this year is his last and he'll be retiring when his term is up. So technically he is quitting. Just remember the source- Pravada, er I mean Denver Post.
As to your second point I quoted, I agree... If you're scared because I have an inanimate object on my person that happens to be visible, I fail to see how your feelings about it are my problem.

[Bailey Guns]

Well, I don't like it and don't really care if the sight of a holstered gun scares someone. But under state law local jurisdictions are allowed to regulate open carry. Just another reason I advocate keeping your gun concealed. I just don't want the attention.