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Archer Lodge asks staff to draft rules limiting alcohol on town property and options on open carry at parks
Summary
Council directed staff to draft a town policy prohibiting alcohol on town property except by permit for special events, and to prepare options addressing firearms (particularly open carry) at parks and town facilities for future consideration.
At the end of its June 15 work session the Archer Lodge council asked staff to draft formal policies governing alcohol and firearms on town property.
Town Administrator David told the council that, legally, there is currently no explicit town ban on alcohol or on carrying firearms in parks and at town facilities; the existing town ordinance addresses only the discharge of firearms. "Currently there is no policy about firearms on town property," he said, and asked for direction so staff and the town attorney could prepare draft rules.
Council members expressed safety concerns about alcohol at parks and about open carry. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Casbury summarized his view succinctly: "children and alcohol and guns not in the same place," and several council members asked staff to develop a policy that would generally prohibit alcohol on town property but allow a special‑event permit process (with conditions such as required extra security or hired officers). For firearms, council asked staff to develop options that could restrict open carry in parks while considering legal constraints and possible grandfathering or transition language for current employees or license holders.
Staff said it would draft ordinance or policy language and return to council for formal consideration, and noted that clear signage and defined permit procedures would be needed if the town chooses to adopt restrictions.
