Mayor: Questions on city’s gun-related ordinances ‘a dead issue’

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

MAYOR BILL SHECKLES

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, 11 p.m. – The debate about some city ordinances being in conflict with state law was closed Tuesday evening by Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles at the opening of the council’s monthly working session.

“We now have new signs posted on the doors of city buildings and new signs posted at the parks, all saying there are no concealed weapons allowed,” Sheckles announced.

Sheckles statement was in response to a challenge from Shelby County resident Stephen McBride, who told the council at earlier meetings that several city ordinances were in violation of state law regarding weapons, weapons possession and the transfer of weapons.

Referring to McBride’s allegations, Sheckles said Tuesday “Our city ordinance does abide by state statute. The only thing in question were the signs we have on the front doors.

 “We are now totally in compliance,” Sheckles said. If McBride wishes to attend future council meetings, he’s welcome to, he said, “but if he doesn’t have anything different to say, I probably won’t acknowledge him.”

STEPHEN MCBRIDE

Councilman Lydian questioned if the sign changes meant McBride is prohibited from carrying a weapon into future meetings. Sheckles explained that openly carrying a weapon is legal, and that there’s no way to prohibit the practice.

“I have a problem with that,” Lydian said. “I think that law needs to be revised. You never know when somebody might come in here and snap.”

Sheckles said he didn’t have a problem with McBride openly carrying a weapon. But the city’s ordinances are in compliance on concealed weapons and the new signs correct the wording problems. Regarding questions about the city ordinances,  Sheckles said “it’s a dead issue.”

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