Public commenters press Hudson council to ban concealed handguns in city buildings; ordinance set for second reading

Tracy McKay, president of the League of Women Voters of Hudson, told the City Council she supported rescinding a rule that allows elected officials to carry concealed handguns in city buildings, saying the group's statewide study raised concerns about "transparency, stakeholder views, funding and liability, storage, personnel selection, and training." McKay told council, "League of Women Voters of Hudson supports council's action to rescind ordinance number 25 91, and we encourage you to pass it."

Other public commenters backed her position during the public-comment period, including Stephen Boscotte, who said he agreed the rule should be overturned and urged council to "keep security to the professionals." The issue surfaced later on the legislative agenda: council listed ordinance 26-13, an amendment to local code to prohibit carrying a concealed handgun in city buildings, as the second of three readings. No final council action on 26-13 occurred at the meeting.

Council members and staff did not debate 26-13 in-depth at this session; staff had earlier placed related materials and prior ordinance citations in the meeting packet. The public record included McKay's account that ordinance 25-91 was adopted in August and that the League's study found adding handguns to certain environments "increased feelings of fear and mistrust more than it added to safety and security."

The city may return the item for further readings; until council adopts an ordinance or rescinds the earlier rule, the existing codified language governs conduct in city buildings. The meeting moved on to other agenda items after the council concluded the listed reading.