Hebron council narrows parks firearms language, adds police-chief sign-off

The Village of Hebron Council on Sept. 25 amended Ordinance 29-24 (codified code Title 9, section 965) to clarify who may possess firearms in village parks and to specify approval authority for other weapons.

Councilmember Andrea Chapman moved to amend Exhibit A, section 965.11, to specify that licensed concealed-carry permit holders in full compliance with the Ohio Revised Code and those legally permitted to openly carry may possess a firearm within village parks; the amendment also listed other items (deadly weapons, fireworks, pellet guns, air rifles, slingshots and missile-propelling devices) as requiring permission. Village Administrator Jung-Han Chen said the revised language was drafted with input from the police chief and counsel because the prior language was unclear.

Councilmember Annelle Porter moved to further modify the language so that permission for otherwise-prohibited devices would require approval from both the Village Administrator and the Hebron Police Chief; that modification passed with all councilmembers voting in favor except Council President Randy Wolf, who voted against. The primary motion (as amended) was then seconded by Mr. Wolf and passed by roll call vote with all councilmembers present voting in favor.

Mrs. Porter raised a concern about what would happen under future administrators; Mr. Chen said he would consult with the Police Chief about the language and how it would operate under different administrators. No implementation details or enforcement procedures were recorded in the transcript.