Press release:
Statement from Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell

Councilmember Cecil Bothwell calls for enforcement of Asheville ordinance banning carrying of guns while picketing.

Asheville, NC— Today City Councilmember Cecil Bothwell called for enforcement of Asheville’s ordinance banning the carrying of guns while picketing in the city (see below for pertinent sections of the ordinance). Bothwell made his statement in response to a story in the Asheville Citizen-Times that reported some gun advocates gathering for today’s Second Amendment Rally intended to carry weapons to the event:

Carrying of guns while picketing is strictly prohibited under our municipal code. The law is very clear, and the Second Amendment Rally obviously falls within the definition of “picket” in our ordinance. Furthermore, if someone is injured during this event, through intent or by way of accidents, a failure of the City to enforce its ordinance would invite a law suit from any injured party.

From the Asheville, North Carolina, Code of Ordinances

(http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12499)

Sec. 16-113. - Definitions.
Picketing means the stationing of any person by standing, lying, walking, sitting, kneeling, bending or in any other similar manner at a particular place so as to persuade, or otherwise influence another person's actions or conduct, or to apprise the public of an opinion or message.

Sec. 16-117. - Weapons.
With the exception of law enforcement officers acting within the scope of their duties, no firearms or dangerous weapons of any kind, as defined by federal, state and local laws, may be possessed by any participant in a parade or by any person engaged in picketing.

Incumbent Cecil Bothwell is running for re-election for another four-year term on the Asheville City Council. Bothwell is an investigative reporter, builder, organic gardener and public servant. In addition, he leads a jail ministry affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.

For more information about Cecil Bothwell’s campaign, visit cecilbothwell.com. You may also contact Bruce Mulkey, Campaign Manager, at bruce@brucemulkey.com or 828-778-5155.