Weapons ban fails to pass for county buildings

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Legislature could not adopt a local law that would have made it illegal for individuals to carry firearms or dangerous weapons in buildings owned or leased by the county after a split vote during the Monday, Sept. 13 meeting. The vote was 7-6 in favor of adopting the weapons ban but the law required a minimum of eight votes to pass, resulting in its failure.
"I send more projectiles downrange in a year than anyone in this legislature and perhaps more than anyone in this room... The only purpose that I can fathom for someone to bring a large knife, a crossbow, a shotgun, a machete, or other weapon into a county-owned building is to injure or intimidate county personnel or others present," said Douglas Paddock, chair of the Yates County Legislature.
While he supported the weapons ban, Paddock made it clear that he is an ardent supporter of the second amendment and opposes any efforts to make it more difficult to obtain a gun. However, Paddock cited a memo issued by Sheriff Ron Spike that said under current conditions police have no authority to stop someone who is legally carrying a gun from entering a county-owned or leased building.
"The memo issued says if someone with a concealed carry handgun and does not want to voluntarily give up the weapon's possession (when entering a county-owned or leased building) there is no local law to prevent the firearm from building entry. Additionally, if someone has a long gun in his or her hands or on a sling with a gun over their shoulder there is no law forbidding it in a county office building," Paddock said.
Legislator Carlie Chilson, who voted against the measure, said every Yates County resident should be ready to protect themselves both against their fellow citizens and the government.
However, she was reminded by Paddock that employees of Yates County are not allowed to carry concealed weapons.
Chilson then asked if that policy counts when she is in the building not on county business and was informed that it in fact does.
"You are always an employee of the county because you are salaried... so you are always on duty," Paddock said.
Legislator Bonnie Percy argued that the discussion surrounding the weapons ban is not theoretical because in the past an individual did bring a gun into a county building.