'Small' Changes To County Gun Laws Generate Big Debate
Posted by Scott D. Yost | Aug 6, 2021 | News
Guilford County staff in recent weeks has billed proposed changes to the county's gun ordinances as very small tweaks meant only to enhance gun safety.
However, that didn't quell the fears of some gun owners who came out to address the Guilford County Board of Commissioners at a public hearing during the board's Thursday, Aug. 5 meeting.
The commissioners didn't adopt any changes on August 5, but it looks very much like the Guilford County Board of Commissioners ­– over the objections of the two Republican commissioners – is going to approve some changes to the county's gun laws in the coming months.
County staff has drawn up recommended moves ­– like requiring berms behind target ranges in some instances and establishing a mandatory distance of 150 yards between shooters and dwellings, livestock and adjoining property.
At the public hearing, the commissioners had too many speakers to hear from, and, at the end of it, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston told those who hadn't had an opportunity to address the board that they could send their comments to the board in writing via email.
The discussion during and after the hearing – which, as expected, saw passionate speeches on both sides – was a lot broader than the discussion county officials have been having in recent weeks – ever since the board began exploring changes to the county's gun ordinances.
Some county property owners who are disturbed by constant gun use on adjoining property suggested new gun laws to limit the noise from gun use, restrict hours where shooting could be done and make other moves that go further than the county had suggested.
Commissioner Alan Perdue, who is the former emergency services director for Guilford County, said that a great number of people had guns and had bought guns in the past year and a half and he added that those people should have a great deal of familiarity with that weapon if they're going to have to use it in a high-pressure situation with lives at stake. Perdue said that meant that the gun owners needed a good deal of practice and therefore, he said, he was reluctant to limit the opportunities to practice.
Commissioner Justin Conrad stated at the meeting that this process of attempting to change the gun ordinances has been nothing short of crazy from the beginning. Conrad pointed out that county legal staff already has changes drawn up, when, instead, Conrad said, the board should have heard first from the citizens and then drafted any potential new rules for consideration by the board.
At the August 5 meeting, Conrad strongly maintained a position he's made clear in the past: that state law already provides for gun safety, so the solution, if one is needed, is enforcing existing laws rather than the county writing up a set of new ones.
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Scott D. Yost
American believer on August 6, 2021 at 3:37 PM
Thank heaven for Justin Conrad!
I have no idea why Skip Alston feels the need to overstep his authority in an attempt to supersede current state law.
He keeps mentioning several incidents where someone has been injured by an errant bullet but I am aware of only one incident in the last few years . Yes Greensboro has grown (slower than any other comparable city in North Carolina) but County laws don't apply to cities just as existing state law overrules ill conceived county laws.
KF on August 6, 2021 at 3:57 PM
Who authorized the county lawmakers to go ahead and draw up these changes? Isn't that getting the cart before the horse? With all the closed meeting going on will anyone even be held accountable? And why even have new rules when the old ones are not informed. It's just crazy.
KMcNeil on August 6, 2021 at 4:02 PM
I certainly agree with Perdue and Conrad. Amazing that this is where they are spending their time instead of on the REAL problem of increased crime in the city.
Jim on August 6, 2021 at 4:54 PM
Conrad is right. Enforce current laws.
Jack McAdoo on August 6, 2021 at 5:33 PM
Is Commissioner Conrad the only one on the Board with a brain? What does "shall not be infringed" mean to you? In the event you do not know the definition of that word, for God's sake, look it up! Follow the plain meaning of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and State law. Meanwhile, the rest of our Board should look up the old US Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madision, 5 U.S. 137 which is an old landmark case that essentially stands for the proposition that laws or regulations repugnant to the Constitution are void. So there you have it!
GUn Owner on August 6, 2021 at 5:51 PM
According to a commissioner the county has been working on these ordinance changes for a few months – not long after the fall elections and instead of consulting with county citizens first. Some of those speaking also referred to a special closed meeting that occurred before the public meeting with a few chosen participants, who then said that they changed their mind about the ordinances – one was a business. What kind of transparent public process is that? I don't trust this process or these commissioners and I encourage everyone who is concerned about their rights to pay close attention, contact the commissioners and come to any future public meetings.
Melanie on August 6, 2021 at 6:05 PM
The agenda showed this topic as last to be heard. What time the gun discussion start?
Jim on August 7, 2021 at 9:53 AM
These kinds of 'small' changes are always under the guise of safety, but chip away at freedoms until the restrictions accumulate and erode the rules beyond reason and recognition. The best response is don't ever allow the erosion to begin.