Quincy repeals weapons ordinance

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council removed an ordinance restricting where people could bring weapons, including firearms.

The ordinance made it illegal for anyone to carry a dangerous weapon, including firearms, in an establishment selling alcohol.

Since the time the ordinance was passed, Washington state exercised exclusive control of regulating firearms, Quincy City Attorney Allan Galbraith said. State law prohibits weapons in premises controlled by the state liquor control board, which prohibit people younger than 21 years old from entering.

“In other words (the state law is) thou shall not have a weapon, which includes a firearm, in premises where people under 21 (years old) can not be,” he said. “The concern is because of that Quincy is exceeding its authority … I think it’s better to rely on the state one.”

Quincy Police Chief William Gonzales said repealing the ordinance won’t change the enforcement, but it does clarify where weapons can be carried. Quincy’s ordinance was overly broad.

“What this does is clean up the language,” he said. “If you go into an establishment that serves food on one side and then have a lounge on the other side. This allows you to have your weapon when you’re having a dinner … on the restaurant side, but it doesn’t allow you to go to the lounge side.”