Ashe Mountain Times

Concealed carry permit owners have long been forbidden to bring their weapons onto the grounds of Ashe County Park and its satellite facilities.

A change in state law brought the issue in front of Ashe County commissioners recently for two public hearings. After the second, commissioners shocked a courtroom full of concealed carry advocates with local legislation that still keeps weapons out during certain events, most of which relate to an increased number of children on the grounds.

The commissioners' decision left a partial gain for concealed carry advocates, a partial loss for those against weapons in the parks, and plenty of “what if” scenarios being discussed on both sides.

“I don't think we lost anything, but I still have some concerns,” said 65-year-old Kermit Boykin of Glendale Springs. “For one thing, they can determine when and where we can defend ourselves. Let's say I was to go shopping in Boone during the Christmas season, when crime is typically high, and then I come back by Family Central where I have to leave my gun in the vehicle. What if someone steals the gun from my car, commits a crime, and with the way the court system is now, I am the one who is prosecuted. What should I do? Just leave my gun at home and run the chance of being mugged?”

Boykin, now a retired school teacher, prides himself as the first person in Wilson County to acquire a concealed carry. He has since had his license renewed three times.

Those who are allowed by law to carry concealed weapons are barred from bringing guns on the premises of the park during a county sponsored event, including recreation league ball games, Easter egg hunts, disc golf tournaments, and other large community gatherings.

They are, however, allowed to carry concealed weapons into the park at other times, as well as on the hiking trails. Permit owners are also given the option to store their weapons in a locked compartment in their vehicle during sponsored events.

Boykin volunteers his time at Family Central wrapping Christmas presents during the holiday season and walks his dog regularly at the park.

Besides his civil liberties, Boykin, like so many others in his corner, said it is also individual safety at stake.

“I had a heart attack in 2001 and hip surgery later,” said Boykin. “I'm not much fighting and running.”

The question of bringing a weapon onto the grounds of Family Central is a conundrum in itself. The facility, the former Ashe Central High School, shares room with parks and recreation, and has a zero tolerance policy for allowing weapons even in the parking lot, regardless of a county ordinance on weapons.

County Manager Pat Mitchell said at some point county officials might designate separate parking lots for both entities at the complex with potentially different regulations for carrying concealed weapons.

Park officials, like commissioners, said their paramount concern is that of children.

“I need to be perfectly clear, I am not against concealed weapons and our right to bear arms,” said Ashe Parks Director Rita Prevette. “However, there is a time and place for everything.”

Prevette said she respected the decision made by the commissioners, and said the park is frequently used by the Ashe County school system, which abides by state and federal law in banning all weapons on educational property.

She has also seen how heated and verbally abusive people can be during athletic events. She said she's seen the girlfriend of a player attack an opposing team's player in the parking lot. In another incident, she said a player followed an opposing player home trying to instigate a fight.

“It has, however, been mostly verbal incidents,” said Prevette. “But you have to think, what if a handgun had been accessible?”

Commissioner William Sands agrees.

“Many children and their parents attend sporting events and tempers flair at times,” said Sands. “At these locations, I feel firearms should be left in a locked vehicle in a parking area. I tried to make this clear to those attending that I had no problem with carrying in other areas of the park.”

Being one of 950 concealed carry owners in the county, he believes commissioners made the morally right decision for the desires of the citizenry.

“We heard from the leadership of our county parks,” said Sands. “It is clear they do not want firearms in the parks. I have spoken with many of our county law enforcement officers, and they all feel that the public should not bring firearms to an athletic event.”

Phil Rhyne, a concealed carry instructor for the past four years, said he is also concerned with personal safety and safeguarding families. 

“I'm not aware of any crimes at the park, there may not have been any instances in the past, but at some point, Murphy's Law will happen,” said Rhyne. “The federal and state constitutions gives us the authority to protect our families, and I don't want that taken away.”

Regardless of which side concealed carry owners fall on the issue, Ashe County Sheriff James Williams said local authorities will be ready to prosecute anyone violating the new ordinance.

“That could put their permit in jeopardy,” said Williams. “I've seen people get mad and out of hand at ball games that you would never believe would. I worry about people in the spur of the moment.”

Williams acknowledges the delicate nature of the issue and said he respects insight from both groups.

“One side argues civil liberty, but I can see both,” said Williams. “I understand where they are coming from, but you just don't need a gun around kids and hot tempers.”