Lake County Metroparks

[GWC]

Lake County Metroparks has two rules in conflict with state law:

3.0 FIREARMS, FIREWORKS, EXPLOSIVES, AND BOWS AND ARROWS.

3.1 Firearms, missile throwing devices, air or gas guns.
No person, except Rangers of the Board, or other Law Enforcement Officers, shall carry firearms of any description, air or gas gun, sling shot, or missile throwing device within the Park, or discharge any firearms, or air or gas gun in or onto Park lands.



3.4 Carrying dangerous weapons.
No person, except Park Rangers, Law Enforcement Officers of the Board, or other Law Enforcement Officers shall have or carry any firearm, switchblade, hunting knife, dagger, metal knuckles, slingshot, or other dangerous weapons concealed or about his person while in the Park, provided, however, that the within regulation shall not be applicable to persons using Park lands for hunting purposes when said persons have fully and completely complied with all of the requirements established for hunting on Park lands.

[charben]

Yep. Clearly in violation. I will give a call today.

[GWC]

thanks

[charben]

I didn't get to today. On my list for tomorrow.

[GWC]

any update?

[Johnny Law]

I just checked the Lake Metroparks web site and the prohibition is still listed. I wonder if and when it will be corrected.

[sabalo]

I just checked the Lake Metroparks web site and the prohibition is still listed. I wonder if and when it will be corrected.

I think the "IF" is the big question. Some of these small burgs could care less about the law.
They are small fiefdoms and won't make any changes unless they are forced to under threats of monetary penalties.

[charben]

Here is the reply I received today:

Thank you for your interest.

Local ordinances are over ridden by the constitutional change. Consequently this rule un enforceable as it applies to CCW.

I will forward your observations on.

Steve Madewell

I have no idea what he means by "constitutional change" but I replied this way:

I presume, then, that the Rangers have been appropriately (or will be) instructed?

Standing by...

[rmalehorn]

Mr. Madewell is still executive director of the Lakemetro Parks. The rule is still listed on the web site, and is posted in the parks, on a board well inside the park with other park information. It is a listing of all the rules for park use. I took a picture of the listing of summarized rules today posted in the parks showing this:

3.0 Firearms, fireworks, explosives and bows and arrows are prohibited.

I realize without an ordinance supporting the rule, this is probably not a high priority for OFCC. I would like suggestions, I am considering either writing Mr. Madewell to find out the results of his looking into it were 2 years ago and why the parks are still posted as such, or, contacting the rangers to find out if they have been directed that this is unenforceable.

[charben]

Mr. Madewell is still executive director of the Lakemetro Parks. The rule is still listed on the web site, and is posted in the parks, on a board well inside the park with other park information. It is a listing of all the rules for park use. I took a picture of the listing of summarized rules today posted in the parks showing this:

3.0 Firearms, fireworks, explosives and bows and arrows are prohibited.

I realize without an ordinance supporting the rule, this is probably not a high priority for OFCC. I would like suggestions, I am considering either writing Mr. Madewell to find out the results of his looking into it were 2 years ago and why the parks are still posted as such, or, contacting the rangers to find out if they have been directed that this is unenforceable.

Guess I am going to have to revist Mr. Madewell...

[charben]

My letter...

Mr. Madewell,

Back in October of 2009, we had a conversation via email about the posted rules and signs regarding firearms in the Lake County Metroparks. At that time, I explained that those rules were in violation of ORC 9.68. Your response was as follows:

Thank you for your interest.

Local ordinances are over ridden by the constitutional change. Consequently this rule un enforceable as it applies to CCW.

I will forward your observations on.

Steve Madewell

However, I was recently made aware that no changes were made to posted rules on the website nor were any sings changed/removed. Despite your statement that those rules are unenforceable, the posting of those rules gives the impression that they WILL be enforced. Consequently, the Lake County Metroparks remain in violation. Two years seems like an ample amount of time to have resolved this issue.

I look forward to an quick and amicable solution to this situation. However, I am forwarding a copy of this communication to the Lake County Commissioners because of the legal exposure this situation creates.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can get this resolved.

Sincerely,

Christopher L. Harben

[ohiozx3]

any updates on this? i went to a park this morning where i visit alot and found a sign prohibiting firearms.

[GWC]

I recently had a couple e-mail exchanges with the board of commissioners and the interim director of the Lake Metroparks and they have modified their regulations to add "Except as set forth in ORC 9.68 and 2923.12 et seq," to the "dangerous weapons" section.

[MyWifeSaidYes]

Clarification letter sent.

[MyWifeSaidYes]

It looks like they MIGHT be in compliance, depending on how you read this. The real question IS how do the LEO's read it. If someone will be trespassed or arrested for open carry of any firearm or exposing or having a licensed concealed carry handgun, then the rule is too vague and needs changed.

Lake Metroparks Rules:
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/about/ran ... ules.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3.0 FIREWORKS, EXPLOSIVES, AND BOWS AND ARROWS.

3.4 Carrying dangerous weapons.

Except as set forth in ORC 9.68 and 2923.12 et seq, no person, except Park Rangers, Law Enforcement Officers of the Board, or other Law Enforcement Officers shall have or carry any switchblade, hunting knife, dagger, metal knuckles, slingshot, or other dangerous weapons concealed or about his person while in the Park, provided, however, that the within regulation shall not be applicable to persons using Park lands for hunting purposes when said persons have fully and completely complied with all of the requirements established for hunting on Park lands.