(CAÑON CITY, Colo.) — Cañon City officials are considering changes to the city’s firearm ordinances, sparking debate over open and concealed carry laws. While some people are expressing concerns, city leaders are pushing for adjustments to align with state and federal regulations.
“We have a safer community when we have an armed citizenry,” a concerned community member said. “We need to be able to carry and protect ourselves at all times, no matter where we are and you guys need to leave things alone.”
Cañon City Mayor Preston Troutman said the community has it all wrong. “We never intended to be more restrictive. I even had people accuse me of wanting to take away their guns, unless you have a nine millimeter I want, I won’t take your gun away,” Mayor Troutman said jokingly.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Cañon City Vision Committee met to go over a general overview of firearms regulations in the City Code. Cañon City Chief of Police John Schick had asked the council to consider narrowing ordinances to the public carrying of firearms, so the city complies with state and federal law. Some regulations that the committee is moving towards removing:
Sec. 9.44.090: which states no person, except a peace officer, can carry a firearm into, upon, or across a public park, playground, or any property held by the City unless they have a permit from the City to kill or trap predatory animals.
Sec. 9.46.020, subsection A(2): Hunting, trapping, and firearms are prohibited on all public trails within the City.
During the meeting on Wednesday, city leaders also discussed revising two other City Code regulations, including subsection A(5) of Sec. 9.44.060, which makes it illegal to carry or discharge a firearm unless specifically authorized by law to do so, and Sec. 9.52.010, which states what offenses a person may face if carrying concealed weapons.
Leaders also considered whether Cañon City will opt out of SB24-131, a new state law banning the carrying of firearms in sensitive places like government buildings, polling places, and courthouses.
“Staff recommendation is a full opt-out with the exception of the courtroom, so even the police department lobby would be opted-out,” Ryan Stevens, Cañon City Administrator said.
In the end, Cañon City leaders decided Wednesday to align with the Fremont County Board of Commissioners and opt out of the new state law. They also decided to remove bans on open carry laws within public spaces, such as parks and some trails. All changes will still need to be voted on by the City Council.
“We’re just trying to get direction and go from here and it will end up on a city council agenda though, whatever changes we make,” said Emily Tracy, Cañon City council member at-large.
