They also reviewed “whether in fact the Mingo Valley Trail and River Parks Trail were actually places the Gathering Place could even attempt to enforce their rule about firearms,” said Bender. “We explained to them that the city would be uncomfortable with it. We cannot tell our police officers, who would be individually liable, to make an arrest for trespass in this instance.”

Title 21, Section 1277, of Oklahoma Statutes has an exception allowing for the carry of legally licensed concealed or unconcealed handguns on “any property designated by a city, town, county or state governmental authority as a park, recreational area or fairgrounds.”

In response to a rally held by gun rights supporters Saturday, the Gathering Place issued a statement explaining that “parks routinely prohibit firearms and the courts have routinely upheld such prohibitions.”

Bender said the only roles Tulsa police would perform at the park involved the enforcement of city ordinances and state law and responding to Gathering Place private security or citizens’ requests for help.

Tulsa Police Department spokeswoman Jeanne MacKenzie said officers have maintained a daily presence at Gathering Place since its opening, patrolling the park and assisting with various incidents that occur.