County Council approves having guns in parks with wear and carry permit, public reacts

The Wicomico County Council has passed an amendment to park regulations that would allow for the public to carry firearms in county parks if there is a valid wear and carry permit.

During the most recent legislative session, the public sounded off on the measure in Legislative Bill 2024-03 , which provides an exception to carry a firearm in county parks for both law enforcement officers and members of the public with a current wear and carry permit. The amendment also prohibited the use of a firearm except as permitted by state law.

The measure passed 5-1, with only Josh Hastings voting against the measure.

According to County Council President John Cannon, conceal and carry permits and wear and carry permits entitle the holder to the rights to carry a firearm. The amendment was changed to read as "wear and carry" in accordance to reflect language in state law.

Steve Miller, director of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism for the county, recalled only one incident in which a weapon was brought onto county park property.

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Making the community better?

"There's been some items that have been updated in these amendments for which the council and private citizens have (requested). These are correct changes that will make it better for the community," said Jim Adkins, a resident of Wicomico County.

Amendments also included regulations on the hours public waterways and boat ramps are available, prohibiting the use of marijuana on park property, limiting the use of motor vehicles on park property, and requiring events that request special permits be approved by the county council and the Wicomico County Recreation and Parks Commission rather than just the Office of the County Executive.

"I can't understand in our current situation in this country regarding firearms and public places that the (council) is willing to allow firearms in our parks," said John Ebert, a Salisbury resident. "I'm uncomfortable with strangers carrying (firearms) in a place where I'm there for recreation. It doesn't give me a sense of security knowing there is a stranger there that has a weapon."

Ebert added there is a distinct difference between officers of the law having the right to carry firearms for public safety and the public being allowed the same right.

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Residents disagree on allowing guns to be carried in parks

Others like county resident Joe White disagreed with Ebert, saying getting a wear and carry permit is more an involved process.

"Although I don't carry, I like the fact that someone who would be capable of acting (violently) at park events might have to think that someone has such a permit and has been properly trained and vetted by the state. The ones who have these permits aren't strangers, but it's the ones who are violent that are the strangers," White said.

Other members of the public noted they prefer knowing that guns are not allowed on county park property.

"It seems the state had already made a decision on this in the 2023 Gun safety Act by saying guns are not allowed in parks in any form. So it seems we're opening ourselves up to some sort of liability and lawsuits is we allow this. This could also be a waste of county resources and funds," said Salisbury resident Megan Outten.

Finally, others contended keeping firearms out of county parks would be consistent with state and national park regulations.

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: County Council approves having guns in parks with wear and carry permit, public reacts