Warren council proposes measure to prohibit firearms in city parks

The lawmaker is worried about parents' tempers at Little League games.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Legislation proposed by city council would try to prohibit people from carrying guns on city park property.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, requested the measure.
"I don't think we need people going to a ball game at a city park with a firearm," Fonce said.
His action was prompted by Ohio's concealed carry law, which took effect Thursday. It prohibits people from carrying guns into public buildings but doesn't restrict them from bringing the weapons into parks or other areas.
Law Director Greg Hicks said the legislation is ready if council members want to discuss it at next week's regular council meeting.
Thinks it can be done
He believes the city is able to prohibit the guns in city parks. Mayors of other cities across the state have expressed concerns that the concealed carry law would override local laws prohibiting guns in public parks and other public areas.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry sent a letter recently to about 10 Ohio cities attempting to ban weapons in parks to point out that the new law prohibits them from doing that.
Fonce worries about parents' tempers while attending their children's Little League games.
"That's all we need is a confrontation during one of these games with 100 kids playing and someone brings out a gun," the councilman said.
He also worries about a gun owner's carrying the weapon in a ball bag and the gun's ending up in a child's hands.
Unsuccessful
Park officials around the state lobbied to try to get parks included as prohibited areas for concealed weapons in the new law but were unsuccessful.
The new law requires people who apply for concealed-carry permits to provide proof they underwent 12 hours of safety training within the past three years.