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The Colony Considers Allowing City Employees To Carry Guns

THE COLONY (CBSDFW.COM) - City employees in The Colony who have a concealed handgun license would be allowed to carry their weapons on the job if a proposed policy change goes into effect.

Librarians, city council members and even meter readers would be allowed to bring guns to work under the policy outlined at a city council meeting Tuesday night.

"I believe people have the right to bear arms, and I'm going to protect myself and my family," said Avriel Blackwell, who works in the city's planning department.

She would have no problem if her coworkers were secretly armed.

"If people know how to use their weapon and they are properly trained I believe in people carrying concealed handguns," Blackwell said.

Recent mass shootings in schools, theaters and office buildings have some calling for more gun control.

But The Colony's approach would encourage more guns by allowing concealed handgun license holders to provide a line of defense if it happens here.

"There's a national discussion about firearms and now's the time to have this discussion," said The Colony Mayor Joe McCourry. "I don't think there have been any cities that have allowed their staff to do this in the past."

The Colony has about 250 employees this would impact and five buildings.

The city manager is researching the legal ramifications, but if there are none, officials expect the policy to be approved.

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