Beware of a letdown, Saints fans
August 29, 2018
Danny Comardelle
August 31, 2018
A proposed Terrebonne Parish ordinance discussed at a council meeting Monday night would make the parish’s public libraries “gun free zones.”
Expected to be set for a full public hearing on Sept. 12, the ordinance would amend the parish code under “Offenses, Miscellaneous Law Enforcement Provisions,” prohibiting the carrying, custody, possession or use of any firearm or weapon in or on the premises of the Parish public libraries.
The proposal is drawing from critics on some social media sites and is a topic of discussion on some 2nd Amendment advocacy forums.
The sponsor of the ordinance, Councilman Darrin Guidry, maintains that the proposal violates the rights of no one. People carrying concealed weapons with the required permits, he said, need only notify library staff and will not be asked to leave.
Anyoen carrying a weapon exposed, or in any other way without a concealed carry permit, Guidry said, would be asked to leave by library staff. If they did not leave as requested police could arrest or cite them.
Library Director: Mary Cosper LeBoeuf said the discussion started when riots broke out in Ferguson, Mo. and in Baltimore. LeBoeuf had seen libraries transformed into “safe havens” I both cities, where children and others fearful of violence could take shelter.
The Library Board and I are trying to help the community,” LeBoeuf said. “I saw this on television, the library in Baltimore had this huge hand-written sign “Sanctuary Center.” The kids were there and the teachers were there because the schools were closed for days and they tutored them in the library. We believe that we are the community center and this is where people should go. This is not to violate anyone’s Second Amendment rights … There is no hidden agenda. I love this library and I want this library to be a place people will come to, hold meetings, and I want people to feel comfortable.”
Some Facebook postings questioned Guidry’s motives. Several cited nationally distributed opinions from blogs that suggest children are safer in places where guns are allowed to be carried. The logic presented is that “bad guys” will be more drawn to a place where guns are banned.
“They have signs on the doors at the Civic Center and a sign that says you can’t bring a firearm into the Government Tower,” LeBouef said. “We are a public building also.”
An ordinance that would make the parish’s public libraries “gun free zones” will be heard by the public on sept 12 The bill is proposed by Councilman Darrin Guidry at the request of Library Director Mary LeBoeuf who support the bill
