Connie Lee

Carlsbad Current-Argus

EDDY COUNTY- Eddy County Commissioners approved a resolution allowing county employees with concealed carry permits to carry their concealed weapons while on duty at Tuesday's meeting.

The resolution states that if an employee chooses to use this right, they are required to have it concealed on their person at all times.

The employee can also store the weapon in a vehicle as long as they follow the regulations.

To store the weapon in a vehicle owned by Eddy County, it must be in a hard case and unable to be seen from outside the vehicle.

Those who wish to exercise this new right are required to notify both the county manager and their supervisor. The county would still have the right to prevent an individual from carrying the weapon within reason and any employee who has their concealed carry permit revoked is required to notify the county immediately.

Consequences for violating the rules could lead to up to termination.

Charlie Powell, the county's safety officer, said in an interview that those who wish to carry their weapons would also be required to take an additional training class provided by the county. She said many employees have previously shown interest in having the concealed carry resolution for safety reasons.

"There have been a number of employees who felt that, due to the change in times and culture and Carlsbad, that it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive," she said.

Powell said the county has been working on the resolution and its specifics for months.

Rick Rudometkin, county manager, told commissioners that many other places, including Otero County and Colorado Springs, have already adopted similar resolutions. He said he thought the document thoroughly covered potential problems, that any employee who chooses to exercise the right should give it strong consideration.

"This is serious business for the people who actually decide to do this," Rudometkin said. "This isn't party time, this isn't 'oh look at me fun fun fun.' This is serious business."

However, he said the resolution was not meant to either encourage or discourage employees from carrying weapons.

"We don't have an opinion one way or the other," Rudometkin said. "What we are doing is we are recognizing the right of a particular individual to exercise their right to bear arms with a valid concealed weapons permit."

He said the county still wants employees to follow law enforcement's standard rule of "run, hide or fight," which only encourages fighting as a last resort in a dangerous situation.

Rudometkin also encouraged those who want to carry concealed weapons to have their own insurance rather than rely on the county.

"Bottom line is, if the incident is what it is and NMAC (New Mexico Administrative Code) says that we can't cover that under county insurance, the employee is fully responsible. They're fully responsible anyway. If you exercise your right, you better have your own insurance," Rudometkin said.

The policy does not allow county employees to carry their weapons inside places where concealed weapons are prohibited. Such venues include the detention center, law enforcement centers and courthouses.

Chief Deputy Mark Cage said having concealed weapons in these locations is unnecessary because they have law enforcement officials present to provide safety.

"We're (law enforcement officials) there," Cage said. "We can protect you. At this rate we don't need other individuals carrying them that we can't control because that's a controlled environment. "

Commissioner Stella Davis said she previously had reservations about the resolution. But she said after discussing it with others, she understood how it could benefit employees who have to enter dangerous situations.

"I think this is going to be really beneficial to our code enforcement person, who doesn't carry a gun," Davis said. "But he's out there, I mean, he doesn't have an open carry gun, but with a concealed weapon it's going to make him a little safer I think."

The resolution passed with a unanimous vote.

Connie Lee can be reached at 575-628-5516.