City ordinance doesn't keep everyone from carrying guns during DNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the DNC comes to uptown, police and federal agents may not be the only ones carrying guns.

While the city's extraordinary events ordinance will prohibit anyone watching or involved in parades, picketing or demonstrations from having weapons, it can't keep people with permits from carrying concealed weapons nearby.

“There are areas -- people could be on a sidewalk or walking in an area that's open to the public and under the law, they could carry a concealed weapon,” said CMPD attorney Mark Newbold.

Sources say that's prompting conversations among city leaders about whether a more comprehensive gun ban is needed -- and among gun advocates like Paul Valone.

“Seems like the city of Charlotte is fishing to a way to ban guns not at convention venues or demonstrations, but in large tracts of uptown Charlotte,” Valone said.

Mayor Anthony Foxx didn't respond Monday to a specific question about that, but did issue a statement saying “we will continue to evaluate every option to ensure a safe environment for our residents.”

Valone, with the group Grass Roots North Carolina, is already mobilizing guns rights activists.

“Fact is, people have ordinary lives,” Valone said. “Not everything revolves around the DNC. Nor should people be prohibited from protecting themselves.”

Police are planning, too.

“Police are going to have to take it on a case-by-case basis,” Newbold said. “Hopefully we'll take some reasonable standards and make sure that we get this right.”

WSOC