Reply #6: From Today's Denver Post [View All]

Looks like it's an ordinance against "open carry", not concealed - Wayne

* * * * * * * * * *

Springs bans guns at City Hall

City property excluded from open-carry law

COLORADO SPRINGS - Don Ortega showed up at Tuesday's City Council meeting with his shotgun - as expected. And, as expected, it was the last time he can legally bring the gun when he comes to City Hall.
The City Council passed an emergency ordinance banning open-carry firearms on city property. The council voted 5-4, with Mayor Lionel Rivera breaking a 4-4 tie.

"I have a responsibility to do what is best for the entire community. By supporting this ordinance, that's what I think I am doing," Rivera told the crowded meeting room. "Rights are something every citizen of Colorado Springs has."

In recent weeks, Ortega has created a stir by bringing his double-barreled shotgun to City Council meetings. For Tuesday's meeting, he painted the gun bright yellow, with a big smiley face on the side. "To make it viewer-friendly," he explained.

Tuesday's meeting was the third to which Ortega brought the shotgun, which he says he carries for protection. As usual, he unloaded and disassembled the gun during the meeting and stayed in the back row, under the watchful eye of security. When he went to the front to speak, he did not carry the gun.

He was one of about a dozen people to speak. Most opposed the ban and also Ortega's actions, which prompted the council's vote on a gun ban.

Said ban opponent Ed Bircham, addressing the council, "You can't just cave in to one individual. It will be a scar on the city for the longest time."

Charles Prignano called a ban "ripping the Second Amendment out of the Constitution. The right of the people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed."

Jan Doran supported a ban, saying, "It is not about our right to bear arms, it is about being responsible and respectful. We are not the Wild West."

When it came to the vote, the council members were firm in their convictions.

"Mr. Ortega, you are an ignorant, stupid irresponsible man. And you caused this," Councilman Tom Gallagher said, who voted against the ban. "Because of your actions there is a possibility that thousands of decent law-abiding citizens will lose their rights, and that scares me."

<more>


http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~1567210,00.html