First step for concealed carry Monday
By Adrian Sanchez asanchez@columbustelegram.com
COLUMBUS -- The City Council is expected to take the first step Monday toward allowing permit holders to legally carry concealed handguns within city limits.
The council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave., and on its agenda is the first reading of Ordinance 09-21 that would amend city code with regard to concealed weapons.
City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli said even though the provisions included in LB430 are not scheduled to go into effect until Aug. 30, the city wants to provide sufficient time for discussion amongst the council members and to conduct a public hearing.
An amendment included in LB430 was the prohibition of cities, counties or villages from banning concealed carry by permit holders who qualified under the Concealed Handgun Permit Act passed in 2006.
The council is expected to hold three readings of the ordinance rather than vote to suspend the rules and vote on the ordinance following its initial reading.
Mangiamelli said public testimony is scheduled to be accepted during the July 6 meeting of the council, with a final vote to be conducted July 20.
Although approved ordinances may legally go into effect 15 days following its passage, the city administrator said this ordinance is expected to be enacted on concordance with the state legislation. “We are timing it so our ordinance is effective Aug. 30,” Mangiamelli said, “making it effective with the effective date of the state statute.”
Councilman Charlie Bahr, who has been a proponent of amending the city code as proposed, said he was pleased that Columbus is on track to allow permit holders to legally carry in the city of Columbus. But he noted even state and local laws will not resolve disagreements regarding gun control issues.
“It’s going to be controversial no matter what,” Bahr said. “Unfortunately, firearm (issues) are that way.”
In other news, the council is expected to:
• hear a special presentation from the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District on the Columbus Housing Market Study 2009-12.
• vote on, as part of the consent agenda, the approval of grant funding from the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging for activities and meals at the Columbus Senior Center.
• vote on, as part of the consent agenda, the reappointment of Councilman Bahr to the E-911 Technical Committee.
• vote on, as part of the consent agenda, the application of 4 Jokers Bar for an addition to its Class “C” licensed premises to include a beer garden.
