SELMA – For the first time in several years, the Town of Selma has updated their firearms ordinance. While weapons by law abiding citizens are allowed in Town, the ordinance now includes a provision prohibiting firearms at town-owned parks.
Following the unanimous adoption of the updated ordinance, firearms are prohibited at the Brack Wilson Park, Raiford Street Park, Summer Street Park, Edgebrook Park & Athletic Courts, Blackley Athletic Park, Richard B. Harrison Athletic Complex, and Town Hall Gazebo.
The weapons ban inside town parks does not prevent a person with a concealed handgun permit from securing a handgun in a locked vehicle trunk, glove box or enclosed compartment at a park. However, it does not allow concealed handgun holders the right to carry weapons within town parks.
During a public hearing, one person spoke in opposition to concealed permit holders being banned from carrying firearms in parks. Councilman William Overby said guns and children in parks do not mix, under any circumstances.
The ordinance bans weapons in town-owned buildings and buildings leased by the Town of Selma.
Sworn law enforcement officers conducting official business are allowed to possess weapons on town property and parks.
Violators will be subject to a misdemeanor, and if found guilty can be fined $500 and jailed up to 30 days. Weapons seized under court order may be destroyed, at the discretion of the police chief.
The maga folk will have a meltdown….
No, that will happen when an innocent bystander gets shot at the park.
Useless thoughts and prayers are all the maga idiots every say…
Ummmm, no they don’t. That’s the liberals. Magas want to carry. It’s libbies that want “thoughts and prayers”…..which is ironic because they don’t believe in God.
By the way…..How is that “defund the police” thing working out for you?
Ask House Speaker Mike Johnson . He just called for it. So there is that
The epitome of irony: calling others idiots while misspelling an average word like “ever.” LOL!!!
If there was an edit button I would have corrected it when I realized it. Did not have my contacts in when I was typing. If you know of said edit button please let me know .
any yet, the ‘maga folk’ are the ones who would come to your defense if you were being attacked by a criminal
don’t hate, appreciate
I can handle that myself. Doesn’t mean I don’t own anything…..
Complete and total violation of our 2nd amendment rights. No wonder Selma is crumbling before our eyes.
If I’m at a park with my kids, I’m carrying and here’s why: If someone attempts to kidnap my child, I need every tool available to help save my child from that violent danger. By passing this, you’re inviting kidnappers to a place where there are children and defenseless parents.
yeah Brett because someone is going to kidnap your child from a park in SELMA LOL. CRY MORE MAGA nutcase
I’m confident the thugs will obey the law🙄
You see the comments on here saying they won’t – so are they the thugs of which you type??
This is against State concealed carry laws. GS 14-415 states in part that in order for any local government to post outside public property it must contain a “recreational facility.” The law goes even further to say what constitutes a recreational facility: must have either an athletic field or a swimming pool in the posted area. If these areas have neither, then concealed carry is lawful and the posting is illegal.
I’m all for a responsible gun owners. The key word there is responsible. We all know that JoCo has its share of irresponsible gun owners, that can’t secure their guns so children can be killed or injured or carry their guns into schools. I realize that this is probably a small amount of the gun owners, however one irresponsible gun owner is one to many. I would rather my children play in a park without guns than a park with just one irresponsible gun owner.
“Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited. [It is] not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.” In its decision, authored by Justice Antonin Scalia, of Supreme Court.
You’ll sing a different tune if your children are taken from you before you’re eyes and you have no way to save them.
When police are minutes away, seconds matter.
The third part of that section of GS 1415 State the following…3) A facility used for athletic events, including, but not limited to, a gymnasium…. Do these places they are talking about have basketball courts? Just curious and how that would apply to the statue and/or the ordinance.
This is blatantly against State law. GS 14-415 says in order to be able to post outside public property, any local government must have a “recreational facility” on the posted property. The statute goes further and defines recreational property: the property must have an athletic field or a swimming pool on the posted property. If neither is there then concealed carry is lawful and these signs are NOT.
Try again, Chuck
The law allows a local government to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun on a municipal and county playground, athletic field, swimming pool, or athletic facility. It doesn’t define a recreational area, it just provides them as examples.
Nope, that is not what the statute says. “must contain an athletic field or a swimming pool.” That isn’t used as an example when it says “must contain.” The very next section actually says local governments are NOT allowed to post bike paths, walkways or greenways. All of these parks contain those areas as well. Reading and comprehension are fundamental.
Once again wanting gun free zones for the bad guys. Everyone should be upset because of this.
You know…because criminals obey gun free zones. SMH
I’m gonna conceal carry there anyways 🤷
Better to have one and not need it you know the rest
I’m gonna do it anyways lol
I’ll prob never need to use it but I’m not gonna not have it if I need it. Kiss my grits
Did anyone on the Selma Town Council ask their lawyers if this was even legal? Or did they just pass an ordinance without any idea if they even had the authority? This law runs afoul of State preemption. They should strongly consider immediately repealing this law before they get sued and lose.
I have alerted Grass Roots North Carolina. They often take legal action against municipalities that violate GS 14-415.
Yeah. I’m sure the bad guys will turn around due to a sign. Or will they feel more comfortable knowing law biding citizens are not armed and unable to protect themselves?
“……..the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” People read the second amendment, is so clear even and idiot SHOULD be able to understand it.
This is ludicrous. I am unable to carry my concealed weapon that I have a permit for but the drug dealer can? How am I supposed to protect my family and myself. Oh, that’s right, Selma is perfect and has no crime, no drugs and all the citizens are 100% law bidding people. Well Selma Town Counsel, we the people are not fools and we know that Selma is a drug ridden town that is getting to the point that the Police are unable to control as hard as they try. Selma Town Counsel, you need to rethink what you are trying to do. Your law is stupid, dangerous and illegal!
Steve, I agree with you 100 percent! It’s a flawed law that I hope gets repealed.
Selma police try hard at stopping crime? Don’t make me laugh.
Going to carry my gun anywhere I please as a free American citizen without paying taxes to have privilege do so sorry I believe my second amendment all gun laws are infringements upon my rights. I don’t care how you feel plain and simple. My life has value and I will defend it end of story
People of Selma need to remember this the next time they vote for their town management
I don’t care what kind of signs they put up. I’m not going to any of those parks in anyway. Signs will not keep those out that carry illegally. There have been several people shot in the immediate area behind Harrison and a few incidents at Brack Wilson Park in the last few years.
A J, You are correct and I have never been to those places either. Probably most people that have commented go there, however, if the town managers are wrong then someone that can do something does do something to stop such stuff before it gets out of hand with wrong thinking people. Also, it won’t stop the criminals. Signs don’t stop criminals. Chuck Norris, I hope you are correct. Either way if you get caught (If you Go there), Then you will find out in court when you fight them… I don’t like it anymore than you or anyone else. Hopefully, they are overreaching their authority and repel this ordinance.
I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6!
It is sad that they decided to something like this, however, if it is posted, it is their right to do so on their property according the laws of possessing a concealed weapon on posted property. However, The people of Selma should remember this the next time they vote for town management.
Concerned813 it actually is NOT their right to post “their” property according to State law. Posting are for private property or local government buildings, not open areas such as these parks. These areas are “public” property and their option of posting is null and void since it isn’t a “recreational area.” Illegal postings to NOT have to be obeyed at all.
So you believe municipal governments are not subject to the US or NC Constitutions?
Brett,, I never said that.. Just Like Waffle house has a posted sign saying “No guns allowed” It is their decision and right. It says in the concealed weapon rules, you are not allowed to carry a gun where posted. Just saying,, Didn’t say I agree with it, it just the rules. Maybe someone that goes to these parks can go fight them in court and see if it is legal or not. Never said they are not subject to the constitution. Just saying what I read in the statue of general assembly and JOCO CCW rules of where you can and can’t carry a gun. I agree that you should be allowed to carry your firearm where ever you want, just be responsible.
What makes them think people will obey this law?
Hooray for Selma! Willing to stand up for non-gun owners rights.
“Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”
Typical liberal mindset. Folks with legal conceal carry license are rarely ever going to be the source of nefarious deeds.
The crowd involved with shootings are same ones that run from police, smash and grab, dealing substances.
Remember, don’t defend yourself. You need to wait for the defunded police to save you.