2nd Amendment fuels debate over Castle Rock repeal of open-carry ban

Castle Rock Town Manager Mark Stevens, on the screen, addresses members of the Castle Rock Town Council during the hearing.

The Second Amendment was front and center this week as the Castle Rock Town Council gave its initial OK to repeal an ordinance prohibiting open carrying of firearms in public buildings and parks.

After hearing statements for nearly four hours Tuesday night from 53 people 24 in support, 28 against and one neutral the council passed the repeal on a 4-3 vote.

"I think it shows the residents of Castle Rock that their town council will stand up for their constitutional freedoms when possible," Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue said Wednesday.

Donahue, an investor in the Centennial Gun Club, said his vote for the repeal reflected his constituents' wishes.

"This was not an easy decision to make," he said. "But the majority of the feedback I received from my constituents was to repeal it."

In December, the council asked for an ordinance to repeal its open-carry rule. State law allows people to carry weapons in public, but local governments have the ability to ban visible firearms in town-owned and town-operated buildings, parks and open spaces. Castle Rock's ban has been in place since 2003.

"I am not sure if it will benefit or not benefit the community, but it will benefit our Second Amendment right," Woody Howarth, a Castle Rock business owner and resident, said Wednesday.

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners helped fuel the repeal campaign by providing information and grassroots support.

"Rocky Mountain Gun Owners is against any measure that restricts law-abiding gun owners of their constitutional right," spokeswoman Danielle Thompson said Wednesday. "Citizens should be allowed to carry the tools of self-defense."

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2nd Amendment fuels debate over Castle Rock repeal of open-carry ban