Check your weapons at the door
What a comical story by Dan Abendschein. He tells us that West Covina council members voted to ban people from bringing weapons into City Hall. The ban was prompted after city officials said they were concerned about possible threats against council members and staff. But the ordinance, which bans retired law enforcement personnel carrying weapons, didn't sit so well with former law enforcement officers.
Fred Sykes, a former West Covina police officer and a former council candidate, called the ordinance an insult. Sykes said he takes his gun everywhere he goes, including most City Council meetings.
"This ordinance treats us like sex offenders and criminals, taking away our rights," he said. "Why would they show such disrespect for West Covina peace officers?"
So does this mean added enforcement at the entrance of City Hall? If it doesn't, I'm sure someone who is so enraged that they would consider bringing a gun to City Hall and shooting at staff or city council members would be dissuaded from doing so because there is a ban.
Comments
I would have liked to have read about both sides of the issue. Why did three members of the council vote for the ordinance and why did two members vote against it? The first was answered (in quite a cursory manner I might add), but not the second.
I highly doubt that Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez and Councilmember Touhey voted against the ordinance for the same reasons.
This is a very serious issue. It deserves a full front press.
Posted by: Ian Jones | April 3, 2008 9:43 AM
Yeah...they didn't feel scared before Fred Sykes started coming to meetings with his concealed weapon, which he's allowed to because he's a retired sheriff's deputy. There's already a state law that prohibits people from carrying weapons into government buildings, but this is drafted SPECIFICALLY to include retired and off-duty personnel in that ban.
Posted by: West Covina Watcher | April 3, 2008 10:01 AM
All bans do is allow the criminals to do a better job of stealing and killing. All law abiding citizens ALWAYS get the shaft.
Posted by: ban | April 3, 2008 4:30 PM