Gunreference1
08-31-2010, 04:37 AM
Man sues Lee over gun ban in parks
Wants signs down, ordinance changed
by thomas stewart • tstewart@news-press.com • August 31, 2010
1:10 A.M. — A Fort Myers attorney filed a lawsuit against Lee County on Monday, alleging a 2006 ordinance banning guns at places all over the county - including parks and beaches - violates state law.
J. Patrick Buckley said the state allows gun owners with concealed-carry permits to take their guns to these locations.
"Felons go to parks and beaches, they go to museums, crime happens in these places and people need to be able to defend themselves," Buckley says in a news release.
He said he'd like to see the ordinance repealed and wants the county to take down or change signs that tell people not to bring guns to the places in question.
Buckley said there were 25,495 concealed-carry permits In Lee County, as of July 31.
Pete Winton, assistant county manager, said Monday evening the county is aware of the issue and is making changes to the signs.
Winton said he isn't sure what will happen with the ordinance.
"We're making sure that we're going to comply with state law," he said.
Buckley said the other defendant named in the suit, the East County Water Control District, has already agreed to modify or remove signs referencing the ordinance.
District board member John Boardman said he thinks the signs have been taken down and are being changed.
District manager Dave Lindsay couldn't be reached for comment Monday evening.
Buckley said he was told of the district's decision late last week and will remove them from the suit.
He said he would also drop the suit against the county if its signs are changed and the ordinance is invalidated.
"I'll drop it when the work is done; when all the signs are gone," Buckley said.
http://www.news-press.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310362/1075/Man-sues-Lee-over-gun-ban-in-parks
Steve
Wants signs down, ordinance changed
by thomas stewart • tstewart@news-press.com • August 31, 2010
1:10 A.M. — A Fort Myers attorney filed a lawsuit against Lee County on Monday, alleging a 2006 ordinance banning guns at places all over the county - including parks and beaches - violates state law.
J. Patrick Buckley said the state allows gun owners with concealed-carry permits to take their guns to these locations.
"Felons go to parks and beaches, they go to museums, crime happens in these places and people need to be able to defend themselves," Buckley says in a news release.
He said he'd like to see the ordinance repealed and wants the county to take down or change signs that tell people not to bring guns to the places in question.
Buckley said there were 25,495 concealed-carry permits In Lee County, as of July 31.
Pete Winton, assistant county manager, said Monday evening the county is aware of the issue and is making changes to the signs.
Winton said he isn't sure what will happen with the ordinance.
"We're making sure that we're going to comply with state law," he said.
Buckley said the other defendant named in the suit, the East County Water Control District, has already agreed to modify or remove signs referencing the ordinance.
District board member John Boardman said he thinks the signs have been taken down and are being changed.
District manager Dave Lindsay couldn't be reached for comment Monday evening.
Buckley said he was told of the district's decision late last week and will remove them from the suit.
He said he would also drop the suit against the county if its signs are changed and the ordinance is invalidated.
"I'll drop it when the work is done; when all the signs are gone," Buckley said.
http://www.news-press.com/article/20100831/NEWS01/8310362/1075/Man-sues-Lee-over-gun-ban-in-parks
Steve