Residents object to RCSC weapons policy

Tom Beckwith invoked the memory of Pearl Harbor Monday when he told Recreation Centers of Sun City board members that they would trample on Second Amendment rights if they decide to place gun restrictions on those who attend RCSC meetings.

"On this day, on the anniversary of when this country was attacked, you want to take away our inalienable rights," Beckwith said at the meeting in Lakeview Social Hall No. 3. "I urge the board to uphold the Constitution of the United States."

After an incident last month in which an RCSC cardholder attempted to bring a gun into a board meeting, the board is expected to vote next week on a motion to clarify the RCSC’s firearms and deadly weapons policy.

"Right now, the way it is written, no one is allowed to carry," said Warren Hoffmann, board president. "The motion will allow a member of law enforcement to carry a weapon onto RCSC property, if, say, we ask them to be in attendance at a meeting."

Several in the audience, however, saw the motion as an attack on their right to bear arms. Others said it would make people unsafe.

Barry Spinka, interim president of the Sun City Computer Club, said citizens with concealed weapons permits are better to have around than police officers.

"These guys (police), they get out to the range maybe once a year; they work two shifts or more; they have families," Spinka said. "People with CCWs are better shots. In a time of stress, they will be able to bring a stop to the situation."

Vice President Gene Westemeier reminded the audience that no rights are being taken away. The RCSC policy in question was written to prevent any and all guns from making it onto RCSC property. The board, he said, is simply trying to clarify that policy and avoid confusion.

"I see no reason why anyone would want to bring a gun to an RCSC meeting or a swimming pool," Westemeier said. "Why do you want to bring a gun?"

One audience member accused the board of trying to turn people with concealed weapons permits into second- class citizens, a "class of serfs," as one person in attendance put it. But board member Denny Nichols said he rejected that characterization.

"I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but I believe there is a time and a place for guns," he said. "Quite frankly, I don’t understand the controversy. We’re trying to take a reasonable approach to this, which I’ll remind you is already on the books."

Lisa Gray, Sun City Republican Club member, said she circulated an e-mail asking people to attend the exchange meeting and speak out against the motion, adding that being around people with guns is "no more dangerous than driving your car down the road."

"Putting up signs saying no guns allowed is rewarding criminals who will be armed anyway," she said. "How are you going to enforce this? It seems like we as Americans are being bombarded with rights taken away, and now you want to take away more."

As Beckwith did, Noel Kasper used Dec. 7, 1941 to make his point.

"Pearl Harbor was a frontal attack on this country, and I consider motions 4 and 5 to be a frontal attack on the RCSC membership," he said. "You are taking great steps to limit the power of the membership."

The weapons issue will be part of a full slate of items the RCSC plans to tackle next week in its final meeting of the year.

The board also will revisit two motions that caused controversy at past meetings:

— The first would change quorum requirements for membership meetings.

— The second would limit the amount of time a petition can be circulated in the event of a recall request.

In addition, the board also will vote next week to approve the 2010 operating and capital budgets, which include no fee increases.

Next week’s meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 in the Sundial Auditorium.

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.