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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 5, 2012 <br />Action Agenda, <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Amendment to Orange County Code of Ordinances Regarding Weapons <br />DEPARTMENT: Attorney's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Chapter 18 Amendment <br />Resolution of Adoption <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />John Roberts, (919) 245 -2318 <br />PURPOSE: To amend the Orange County Code of Ordinances to prohibit the carrying of <br />concealed weapons on certain Orange County property. <br />BACKGROUND: In July 2011 the General Assembly adopted Session Law 2011 -268, which <br />amended North Carolina General Statute §14- 415.23 to significantly expand the ability of <br />Concealed Carry permittees to possess concealed weapons statewide. The General Assembly <br />simultaneously provided local governments the authority to regulate carrying concealed <br />weapons on and in local government owned recreational facilities including playgrounds, <br />athletic fields, swimming pools, and athletic facilities. Through the amendment of Chapter 18, <br />Article V of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, the Board of Commissioners may exercise <br />the authority granted by the General Assembly to prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on <br />and in certain Orange County properties. <br />At a previous discussion of this topic at the Board's February 7, 2012 regular meeting, <br />questions were raised about some parks that feature substantial areas of low- impact recreation <br />or trails. Of the County's parks, the following miles of trail exist at parks that have substantive <br />portions of low- impact recreation areas: <br />• Cedar Grove Park — One mile of hiking trails, <br />• Little River Park — 7 miles of hiking trails, 7 <br />paved walking trail, Y2 -mile bird - watching trail <br />• Twin Creeks Park — 3/ -mile paved greenway <br />1/3 -mile ADA walking track <br />miles of mountain bike trails, 1/3 -mile ADA <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial impact associated with approval of the resolution adopting the <br />amendment is limited to the cost of signs to post each property. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the amendment by <br />approving and authorizing the Chair to sign the attached resolution amending the Orange <br />County Code of Ordinances to prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on certain Orange <br />County property. <br />