A small town in Ohio is considering a unique way to provide security for its city council meetings.
Lebanon City wants to arm its council members at their meetings, so the town can save money on security. City officials believe they would be more ready for an active shooter if allowed to open carry, according to the Dayton News Daily.
Newly elected city council member Joe Shaffer favors the idea of allowing elected officials to have guns on them because meetings lack security at night.
“I wanted to establish a safer environment in our building as we conduct our meetings without adding significant cost to the taxpayer,” he told Dayton News Daily.
Shaffer added the city council members could handle themselves, and that they are offering themselves as a “protector of the public.”
This potential ordinance came up during a January 7 city council meeting where members asked Mark Yurick, the city attorney for Lebanon City to investigate the matter.
According to the Dayton News Daily, Yurick told the city council it may be subject to possible lawsuits. In addition, he said this potential law would result in other concealed carry-permit holders being allowed to bring their guns to the meetings.
To help combat these potential issues, Yurick suggested having a police officer or private security at the meetings.
Other alternatives suggested by council members to avoid lawsuits included using a metal detector and altering signs notifying people that guns are prohibited in the Lebanon City Building from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A hearing will be held on February 11 to discuss this matter further. If Lebanon City council members made this law, it would be the only city in Ohio to do this. Two years ago, the town of Wyoming passed a law like this, but rescinded the law after facing criticism.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected].
Photo “Lebanon City of Ohio” by Lebanon City of Ohio.
