The issue of guns at Commerce City council meetings was brought to light after a report to the Mayor of Commerce City Paul Natale.It was reported that a fellow council member, Jim Benson had the idea to bring a concealed weapon to city council meetings after receiving a concealed weapons permit. When confronted by the Mayor, Jim Benson denies that was his intent.
It was the direction of the Commerce City Council to have the city staff draft an ordinance that would not allow any guns into Commrce City council meeting, with exception of the Police and Security officers.
What do you think?
34 comments:
I really want to say THANK YOU! to the mayor for bringing this to the attention of everyone. I have a loved one who regularly attends your meetings and I have always worried a little bit, after what happened to the city council meeting in Kirkwood, Missouri Feb of last year.
This ordinance that you are bringing to council for vote could not coming any sooner.
Thank You!
I did not believe this until I saw the video.
How embarrassing
Tim Dalton
Benson with a gun!
I can't think of a more worse nightmare.
NO GUNS AT COUNCIL OR ANY OTHER MEETING AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED!
Does this mean that Jim Benson does not trust the police chief or the hired security at council meeting to handle any situation that may arise?
Why does he feel like he needs to take matters into his own hands?
I want the council to include all the boards and commissions too. Especially Liquor Board.
Red Barn Rebel
I agree with the Mayor, put the law in place.
JK, Commerce City
no guns at coucil? Why is this even an issue!
COME ON PEOPLE!
two words:
NO GUNS!
I am in the dark about Lewis comment about the "other" council member with a gun, shed some light please.
DeeDee, Commerce City
It was not a big deal, one of the council members who happens to be a peace officer, turned his fire arm into the Commerce City police department prior to a council meeting years ago.
Politicians being politicians, it was made into a big circus in coffee shops and private meetings.
It was the current Mayor when he was a council person.
I heard it was the mayor who brought his gun to council.
Core Comments
NO, he left it with the Commerce City Police Department, see comment above explaining the situation.
I have a family member who also goes to meeting often, we do need this rule put in place. Thank you for bring this up.
Commerce City resident and active citizen
Your all messing with the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
If Jim is legal, then so be it.
This is nothing more then a Jim Benson Witch Hunt! Mayor is a trouble maker and does not like Benson.
Why bring this to public meeting and get everyone all wild up? Why doesn’t our great mayor follow his own council guidelines and bring this up with Mr. Benson in private?
What does party affiliation have anything to do with guns at a public meet?
I don’t care if you are a republican or communist. No guns at city meetings, just plain common sense.
Macy, Reunion, Colorado
This is why we need this law that council will pass next meeting!
The Kirkwood City Council shooting occurred on February 7, 2008, in Kirkwood, Missouri, United States; a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri in St. Louis County. A gunman went on a shooting rampage at a public meeting in the city hall, leaving six people dead and two others injured. Charles Lee "Cookie" Thornton shot one police officer with a revolver across the side street from city hall and took the officer's handgun before entering city hall. Thornton reached council chambers with these two weapons shortly after the meeting began. There, he shot a police officer, the public works director, two council members, the mayor, and a reporter. In total, the gunman killed five and wounded two others. He was then shot and killed by police.
I love how the one guy says he is not afraid of the council member with or without a gun. Hilarious!
Cheo Larcombe
I'd be afraid. The man can't hear and his eyesite is poor!
If he doesn't trust our security and police in attendance than he is over the top with paranoia.
Funny how a couple infer the mayor is picking on Benson. If Benson does something stupid, again, and this time shoots someone, the outcry would be why didn't the mayor do something!!
So what happens if we have another "peace officer" on council in the future and they bring their gun to council, like the great mayor did!
Core Comments
I would think that individual who then do what the mayor did and leave it with the Police Department.
usually I just read the comments, but I am going to have to break from tradition and actually give my 2 cents worth on this one.
I also would like to thank the Mayor for bring this forth, further, I would like it if city council would at least consider making this a rule for all the meetings that are held at city hall. I am talking mostly about Liquor Board.
Thank you for letting me speak my opinion.
Irene of Commerce City
I am more afraid of Benson with one of his petitions then him with a gun!
Northern Resident
funny! me too
My God, I did not believe this. I had to see if this was for real. I was told about this in a meeting this morning.
Seriously, how embarrassing!
only in commerce city
I support the mayor and say thank you for making this important issue a speedy one.
Rhonda, Commerce City
I think it will be 8 to 1 or maybe 7 to 2, Orval and maybe Benson will be the lone ones out on this one.
I know that council will be voting on this tonight, at least for the first reading.
I have done some research and found out that even our founders did not allow firearms and blades to be in meetings.
I guess even back then meetings got a little heated.
Daniels, Commerce City
Council says no to guns at city council meetings, on first reading.
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