SHELBY — The city of Shelby took its first step toward allowing concealed carry in designated city buildings at last night’s meeting of Shelby City Council.
Council passed an ordinance updating the city’s policy regarding carrying a concealed handgun into buildings within their governing authority, in order to mirror a law in the Ohio Revised Code. Councilman Garland Gates voted against the ordinance; Councilman Nathan Martin was absent.
The legislation passed its third reading on Monday without discussion, but was a topic of conversation during its second reading at the July 2 meeting of Shelby City Council. The ordinance was sponsored by Councilman Steve McLaughlin, who stated on July 2 that the ordinance was about self-defense.
“Gun-free zones are dangerous to all of us law-abiding citizens and leaves us vulnerable and defenseless,” McLaughlin said on July 2. “We as members of this governing body have the responsibility for protecting those that we represent. We owe it to our constituents to give them the ability to self-defend if the situation should arise.”
The ordinance states, “Any building that is a government facility of this state or a political subdivision of this state and that is not a building that is used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility and is not a courthouse or other building or structure in which a courtroom is located…unless the governing body with authority over the building has enacted a statute, ordinance or policy that permits a licensee to carry a concealed handgun into the building.”
McLaughlin stated on July 2 that a follow-up ordinance is expected to address more specifically the issue of which particular buildings within the city that the legislation applies to.
“Bible scripture explains that self-defense is justified,” he said on July 2. “The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives us the right to self-defense; it states very clearly, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
“The state of Ohio has given us the ability through the Ohio Revised Code to permit this within our governmental jurisdiction here in Shelby,” he added.
Gates echoed McLaughlin’s point, noting that permitting concealed carry within certain government buildings is already a statewide law.
“What this would simply do is make our ordinance mirror state law,” Gates said on July 2. “This piece of legislation is largely symbolic because state law already applies statewide, and is of little real consequence.
“Is it (McLaughlin’s) intent that there be concealed carry in city buildings?” Gates asked.
“Currently greater than 7 percent of Ohioans are licensed to concealed carry,” McLaughlin responded. “That would give those of us that have that ability the right to do that, yes.”
