Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Quartzsite council votes to remove gun lockers outside town hall after split public hearing
Summary
After public comment and debate, Quartzsite council voted by roll call to remove the gun lockers outside town hall, with the council split on whether the lockers provide a valuable safety reminder for lawful carriers or are obsolete without a corresponding ordinance and enforcement.
The Quartzsite Town Council voted June 9 to remove the gun lockers outside town hall after a divided discussion and public comment.
Staff introduced the agenda item, saying the lockers remain from an earlier policy that restricted firearms in town facilities and are no longer required because the town does not currently enforce that ordinance. ‘‘The gun lockers are outside the building because at one point in time we did not allow guns to be brought into town hall,’’ a staff member said, adding that federal funding for pedestrian/parking changes and reuses of the area were being considered.
Council members and residents disagreed on the lockers’ value. Council member (speaker 7) said he did not ‘‘see any reason to move them or get rid of them’’ and framed them as a helpful reminder to residents. By contrast another council member (speaker 10) argued the lockers are functionally ‘‘useless’’ under current policy and the space could be used for more constructive community purposes.
Two members of the public urged the council to keep the lockers. Paul Young, who said he was born in Quartzsite and holds a concealed‑weapons permit, told the council he prefers a secure place to lock a firearm rather than leaving it in a vehicle: ‘‘If you leave the lockers, we can put [a weapon] there, lock it up. It’s safe.’’ Dana Tagg (speaker 14) also said only law‑abiding citizens will use the lockers and that removing them would not deter people who intend to break the law.
Council member Verkapp moved to remove the lockers; the motion was seconded and put to a roll call vote. The roll call, as read on the record, was: Mayor Simpson — Aye; Vice Mayor Ammon — Nay; Council member Warner — Nay; Council member Goldberg — Nay; Council member Bearkat — Aye; Council member Nichols — Aye; Council member Susan South — Aye. The motion carried by majority vote.
The council discussed possible reuse of the former locker location; staff noted the space could host a mural, a printed take‑away map, or a digital kiosk and said more details could be brought back to council. The decision to remove the lockers takes effect immediately and staff will return with proposals for the space.
