CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston Mayor Danny Jones is livid over the passage of legislation backed by the NRA.
The bill, which won approval Saturday before the end of the regular legislative session, would allow the carrying of guns into municipal buildings if the person armed has a legal conceal-carry permit.
“I wasn’t surprised, but what this bill does is put guns in the recreation centers in the poorest zip codes in our city,” said the mayor. “It exposes children in daycare and Head Start programs to be in the proximity of handguns.”
The legislation cleared the way for carrying at city recreation centers, swimming pools, and municipal parks. However, Jones said it also enables a person to carry a firearm into any other building, like the Civic Center and City Hall.
“If you find someone in City Hall who has a gun, you can ask them to leave,” Jones said. “That includes the Civic center.”
They mayor fought hard to have the measure defeated, but failed.
“You’re talking to me about the work product of people that don’t have the wherewithal to write or read legislation,” said Jones.
The mayor huddled with his team Monday morning to discuss what the city’s next move might be in response to the legislation.