Bowing to Public Pressure, Commissioners Vote Down Gun Ordinance
TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

By Jason Saine

LINCOLNTON – In what has turned out to be a very controversial proposal, the proposed county-wide gun ordinance proposed by Commissioner Marie Moore was defeated last night before it ever came up for a public hearing.

At the last county commission meeting, Moore proposed the ordinance that she had drawn up with the assistance of county legal staff. At that time, the entire Board of Commissioners agreed to hold a public hearing on the ordinance on March 3rd.

That action sparked outcry in the community and beyond. Several groups became involved in working against such an ordinance including Grass Roots North Carolina and others. The opposition forces rallied their membership to show up at the meeting on Monday and voice their concerns as well as contact commissioners prior to any public hearing. Their efforts seem to have been successful.

Several commissioners admitted that they had received numerous emails and phone calls on the matter.

Sam Houser, a resident from Vale, took issue with Moore in the public comment portion of the meeting.

“I think it is a waste of time and money to have Commissioner Moore to go directly to the attorney without the full board being involved. I hope that you do something to reprimand her,” Houser said.

(Photo: Sheriff Tim Daugherty discusses his opposition to the ordinance with commission.
VIDEO: Sheriff Daugherty followed by public commentary from Vale resident Sam Houser)

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“This is not Good ‘Ole Boy politics, this is backdoor politics. Wait until the press leave, and wait until the citizens leave, and then you bring an issue up, that it is wrong,” Houser told the board.

Houser went on to suggest to the board that they change their rules so that any motion made by a member would require a seconding motion in order to be considered.

The commissioners had asked that Sheriff Daugherty to attend Monday’s meeting and speak on the ordinance. Daugherty was very matter-of-fact in his office’s opposition to the new ordinance.

“I don’t think this ordinance is enforceable from a law enforcement stand point,” said Sheriff Daugherty. “The Sheriff’s Office does not stand in support of this.”

Commissioner Moore seemed to admit that she had done little research into the need for such a new ordinance. She questioned Daugherty on what laws were currently in existence. Most of which, according to Daugherty, already addressed the safety issues that Moore had brought up.

Sensing that the public was overwhelmingly against the ordinance, Commissioner Alex Patton moved to “reject the ordinance” effectively killing the proposed ordinance.

The commission then voted on Patton’s motion and voted 4-1 to reject the ordinance. Moore voted against rejection.