Posted: Monday, July 24, 2006 7:00 pm
The Lincoln City Council's decision to drop a proposed ban against people carrying concealed handguns in the city now leaves the weapon decision up to individual business owners.
BY NANCY HICKS | Lincoln Journal Star
Brian Kitten, co-owner of Brewsky's, doesn’t think alcohol and guns mix — so he’ll be putting up signs that say concealed weapons aren't allowed in his establishments when the state’s new conceal-carry law goes into effect next year.
“As far as a business with alcohol, it just doesn't make sense to allow guns,” said Kitten, who added he doesn’t want to deal with an upset customer and wonder if he is carrying a gun.
The City Council's decision on Monday to drop a proposed ban against carrying concealed handguns in the city now leaves the decision up to individual business owners.
The new state law allowing concealed weapons, which goes into effect Jan. 1, allows property owners to ban concealed handguns from their property. But owners must post a “conspicuous sign” letting the public know the rule.
There’s likely to be “No Gun” signs at Pershing Auditorium and at Lancaster Manor — in fact, at every county and city building in Lincoln.
The city law office has already drafted a city ordinance that will ban all weapons at all buildings owned or leased by the city or county.
The new state law prohibits guns in some specific public buildings, including any building with a court and at any City Council or county board meeting.
However, that doesn’t cover most government-owned buildings, including the city and county offices in the building next to the courts.
The proposed city ordinance would ban weapons from all local government buildings, City Attorney Dana Roper said. The ordinance would ban all weapons, including knives with blades longer than 3 1/2 inches — whether they are concealed or not.
The ordinance would also provide for a criminal penalty of up to a $500 fine or six months in jail.
The County-City Building Commission recommended banning weapons in the buildings, Roper said.
Most businesses, meanwhile, probably have not thought about what they want to do, said Wendy Birdsall, interim president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
Dale Nordyke, owner of The Mill coffee shop at Eighth and P streets, said he disagreed with the council decision. But he probably won’t be posting “No Weapons” signs at The Mill. Nordyke doesn’t think he will have many customers carrying a concealed gun.
He does find it ironic, though, that the City Council would allow people to carry concealed weapons in Lincoln, then consider banning weapons from government-owned buildings.
“They want to protect themselves, but not anyone else,” he said.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
Options
A business owner can disallow concealed handguns from the business by posting signs. The proposed rules, developed by the Nebraska State Patrol, suggest that this sign contain a four-inch circle with a slash over a handgun and test saying that carrying a concealed handgun anywhere on the premises is prohibited.
An employer may also prohibit employees or anyone from carrying concealed handguns in business-owned vehicles.