Abbeville Council creates pair of gun, weapon ordinances

Where citizens can possess dangerous weapons in Abbeville is now more clearly defined.
The Abbeville City Council voted Tuesday during its regular council meeting on a pair of ordinances, one that creates a firearm free zone around schools, and another that prohibits weapons on any city owned or leased property, including parks and city hall.
“The language of the state statute limits the possession of dangerous weapons and firearms in public buildings,” Ike Funderburk said during Tuesday’s meeting. “We narrowly define public buildings to those buildings, structures and real estate that are used to serve a public purpose.
“This covers anything owned, leased or possessed by the City of Abbeville. We are not stretching this out in to commercial properties.”
The firearm free zone falls in line with the state statute. The zone extends to the area 1,000 feet around the campus of any elementary school, middle school, high school, college, university or trade school.
“The legislature created firearm free zones around every public school,” Funderburk said. “There is a caveat in the law that requires that municipalities have a map drawn to show the boundaries of that 1,000 foot area.”
Sellers and Associates has drafted such a map, which lists every school in the city, including Abbeville High School, Eaton Park Elementary School, Harvest Time Christian Academy, Herod Elementary School, J.H. Williams Middle School, Lighthouse Christian Preparatory School, Mount Carmel and Vermilion Catholic. The zone would also cover the South Louisiana Community College’s Gulf Area Campus. The map will be filled in the office of Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court Diane Meaux Broussard. The city will place signs in the designated zones.
“Within those zones,” Funderburk explained, “you have A.A. Comeaux Park, Motty Park and Hebert Park. You also have portions of the retention pond and two electrical substations.”
There are exceptions to the zones. The statue does not apply to federal, state and local law enforcement buildings, a military base, or a commercial establishment that is permitted by law to have firearms or armed security. Private premises, including residence, are not affected by the zones.
“It doesn’t apply to law enforcement officers or someone possessing a firearm in their home or car,” Funderburk said.
The ordinance sets forth penalties for those found in violation. A fine of up to $1,000 can be assessed. Violators can also be subject to prosecution in the 15th Judicial Court.
“It can be a felony,” Funderburk said last month. “That is what the state law provides.”
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, said he is pleased that the city has provided these new measures for public safety.
“I want to compliment the work that is being done,” Broussard said. “This makes our children safer in a larger area.
“I am so happy to support this.”