Surry supervisors propose allowing themselves to bring guns to meetings

Two years after the body voted to ban guns in government buildings, two Surry County supervisors say they want to come armed to board meetings.

According to Surry District Supervisor Tim Calhoun, at the start of a July 18 work session, Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Elliott asked that the meeting’s agenda be amended to include a discussion of the gun ordinance the supervisors adopted on Nov. 3, 2022, to prohibit the carrying of “any firearm, ammunition, components, or combination thereof” inside any building or part of a building that is “used for governmental purposes by the county” and any recreation or community center “owned and operated by the county.”

Bacon’s Castle Supervisor Walter Hardy, according to Assistant County Administrator and spokesman David Harrison, proposed an exception that would “allow board members who possess a concealed weapons permit to be able to be armed.” The draft language specifies the exception would apply only “immediately preceding, during and immediately following a meeting of the Board of Supervisors.”

Calhoun, who cast the only dissenting vote in the 4-1 decision to enact the ordinance, said Hardy made reference at the July 18 meeting to unspecified emails and social media posts Hardy described as threatening in nature among his reasons for wanting the exception. Hardy, who was first elected in 2023, was not a member of the board at the time of the 2022 vote.

Surry County Sheriff Carlos Turner said he did not attend the July 18 meeting but was “aware of the concerns of our supervisors and the revised gun ordinance that is being proposed.”

“Given the political climate of our nation today, the Surry County Board of Supervisors intend to ensure the safety of Surry County citizens, the general public, staff and board members while transacting the business of the county,” Harrison said.

Hardy himself, when contacted by The Smithfield Times, deferred to Harrison’s statement. Elliott did not immediately respond to the Times’ request for comments.

“The Board of Supervisors appreciates the efforts of the Surry County Sheriff’s Department to ensure public safety at board meetings,” Harrison said. “The amendment to the ordinance will allow an added layer of protection and will provide assistance to the Sheriff’s Department if needed.”

According to Calhoun, the allowing of firearms by supervisors with concealed handgun permits would not apply to audience members, who currently must pass through metal detectors in the lobby of the Surry County government center before they’re allowed to enter the General District courtroom where board meetings are held.

“The same procedure would still be in place,” Calhoun said.

Not everyone is on board with the proposed ordinance amendment.

The Times’ request for comments from Amy Drewry, who holds the Dendron District seat on the board, yielded a response from her husband, Michael, who preceded her and former Supervisor Brenton Byrd in the role.

“With my wife, Amy, on the board, I am very concerned with this amendment,” Michael Drewry said. “She does not have a concealed permit thus would not be permitted to bring a gun, nor would I want her to do so.”

He characterized the ordinance change as having the potential to “put a damper on citizen involvement.”

“Unfortunately, I sadly believe it is nothing more than further intimidation against my wife, and citizens who simply disagree with current board actions,” Michael Drewry said.

Counties gained the authority to restrict firearms from a 2020 state law allowing – but not requiring – localities to ban guns in government buildings, parks and at public events. The Surry ordinance had drawn opposition at the time of its passage from more than a dozen county residents, a statewide gun-rights group and Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, whose legislative district includes Surry.