The Monroe City Council on Sept. 23 adopted ordinance No. 0172025 revising Title 9 of the Monroe Municipal Code to strengthen park code enforceability, and the council then directed staff to return with information about open carry of firearms in parks.

Parks Director Kevin Teague said the code revisions are intended “to make the code more enforceable and to kind of shore up some of the issues that we've had with enforcement in the past.” After brief discussion, Councilmember Gamble moved and Councilmember Fulcher seconded adoption of the ordinance on its second reading; the motion passed 7-0.

Council discussion then turned to firearms in parks. Councilmember Fisher said he had voted previously to allow open carry in parks but wanted to reopen the discussion and emphasized he did not want to make concealed‑carry permitting illegal. Several council members expressed concerns about permitting open carry but differed on next steps. Councilmember Gamble asked about concealed‑carry permit processing time; the police chief (unnamed in the record) said the process takes about 30 days.

Councilmember Fisher moved and Councilmember Beaumont seconded a motion directing the mayor and staff to bring back information related to open carry of firearms in parks. That motion passed 5-2; Councilmembers Hanford and Gamble voted against the direction to return information.

During the discussion council members raised practical concerns that included distinguishing concealed carry from open carry, how existing state and federal restrictions (for schools, hospitals or other locations) interact with local park rules, impacts on hunters and boat launches within park property, and the need for a staff report with legal and operational analysis. Several members said they wanted staff to prepare a written report so the council would have facts about relevant laws, enforcement implications and possible code language changes before making a policy decision.

The adopted ordinance (0172025) becomes effective as provided in the ordinance; staff will prepare the requested report on open carry and present it at a future council meeting for further direction.