Ashe Mountain Times

A second reading concerning revisions to the county's concealed weapon ordinance confirmed what the board's majority has already stated: their primary concern is that of the children. 

A split decision on the proposed changes earlier this month had necessitated a second vote Monday afternoon. The votes did not change, going 3-2 in favor of regulating weapons at county parks under certain stipulations.

In the vote Monday as well as Feb. 6 following a second public hearing on the matter, commissioners Judy Porter Poe, Larry Rhodes and William Sands each voted in favor of the regulations on weapons, with Gerald Price and Gary Roark opposed.

Changes to the law would prohibit concealed carry permit owners from bringing weapons onto the grounds of Ashe County Park entities during county sponsored events. The new ordinance also gave permit owners the option of storing their weapons in a concealed compartment in their vehicle. 

While some concealed carry proponents saw the decision as a victory — previously all weapons were banned at all times — dozens of advocates feared their civil liberties, particularly their right to bear arms had been violated.

In voting in favor of the revisions, Rhodes said for him it was a matter of consistency in where weapons are allowed.

“My main objective is protecting our most important asset, and that is our children,” said Rhodes.

Sands, who has worked as a detective with the Ashe County Sheriff's Office for the past 18 years, supported Rhodes.

“I can see how quickly things can get out of hand at ball games,” said Sands. “I've seen some good people get out of hand. All we are asking is to leave your weapons locked in your vehicle.”

Having concealed weapons at athletic/county organized events had been a cornerstone of opposing arguments for both sides. Concealed carry advocates said it could serve as a potential lifesaving measure for the majority if someone was to open fire at these events. Others feared a quick escalation to an all-out shootout.

“In thinking about the parks and getting law enforcement officers over there (in the event of a shooting), those games are typically played when the maximum number of officers are on duty,” said Sands. “The park is close by, it's not like it's at Pond Mountain. Whenever the words ‘shots fired' are called out over dispatch, everyone converges on the scene and it's fast.”

Roark did not see eye to eye with Sands, and believed the board had “failed the people of Ashe County.”

“It was basically a slap in their faces,” said Roark, who referenced the overwhelming opposition present to speak at the second public hearing in favor of not regulating concealed firearms at the park.

Ashe County has a population of a little more than 27,000. Approximately 950 of those people have concealed carry permits.

The barrage of people that urged county commissioners to not regulate the weapons was not in force for the second hearing, but their rallying call of freedom and no county regulation remained unchanged.

Tom Pope, of Jefferson, thanked Price and Roark for their votes in “defending the Constitution,” which he said was being “eroded and ignored.”