Mr. Wells and Mr. Mattick,<br><br>It has recently come to my attention that the rules and regulations for Big Island Nature Park, posted on the City of Orono web site at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ci.orono.mn.us/rules_&_regulations.htm">http://www.ci.orono.mn.us/rules_&_regulations.htm</a>, are not in compliance with state law.<br><br>The page currently contains the following language:<br><br><blockquote><b><u>Firearms, etc.</u></b> Firearms, explosives, slingshots, bows and arrows, paintball guns and other weapons are prohibited in the Park at all times. Discharge of firecrackers or fireworks or detonation of explosive devices of any kind in the Park is prohibited.<br></blockquote><br>As I am sure you are aware, the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act of 2003, codified in Minnesota Statute 624.714, allows persons issued a permit by their country sheriff to carry a firearm on or about their persons in a public place -- including a public park. The permit is, as Subdivision 2(c) makes clear, "...a state permit...effective throughout the state," including, of course, Orono.<br><br>The statute also specifically states, in Subdivision 23, that "No sheriff, police chief, governmental unit, government official, government employee, or other person or body acting under color of law or governmental authority may change, modify, or supplement these criteria or procedures, or limit the exercise of a permit to carry."<br><br>To keep Orono and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District in compliance with state law and to avoid any unfortunate and potentially dangerous confusion on the part of law enforcement personnel or other citizens, I respectfully recommend that the city take immediate steps to update the park rules and web site to conform to state law.<br><br>One way this could be done is demonstrated below:<br><br><blockquote><b><s>Firearms, etc.</s></b><u><b></b><b>Weapons</b></u><b>:</b> Firearms, explosives, slingshots, bows and arrows, paintball guns and other weapons are prohibited in the Park at all times<u>, with the exception of firearms carried by persons possessing a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol</u>. Discharge of <u>firearms,</u> firecrackers or fireworks or detonation of explosive devices of any kind in the Park is prohibited.<br></blockquote><br>If you have any questions, I am at your service. I look forward to your timely reply.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Andrew Rothman<br>Executive Director<br>Minnesota Association of Defensive Firearm Instructor

Go get 'em Andrew!

Call 'em out and take them to task as needed.

Nicely done Andrew. Can't wait to see the response. Who are Wells and Mattick? MCWD and City of Orono Attorneys?

Says you can't fish from a city dock??? That's weird.

Says you can't fish from a city dock??? That's weird.

To: jwhite@ci.orono.mn.us, cbremer@ci.orono.mn.us, lmcmillan@ci.orono.mn.us, jmurphy@goldengate.net, dfranchot@ci.orono.mn.us
Subject: Second notice: Park rules correction
Cc: "Marc S. Berris, Esq.", "William Wells, Orono City Administrator" <bwells@ci.orono.mn.us>, "Orono City Attorney Soren Mattick, Esq." <smattick@ck-law.com>

Mr. Mayor and members of the city council,

When I sent the message below to Mr. Wells and Mr. Mattick a week and a half ago, I expected at least the courtesy of a reply. I am sorry to say I received none.

Once again: a portion of your park rules stand in conflict with state law and are therefore nullified an unenforceable. Should any city official take any steps to enforce such a rule, they would open the city to legal action, up to and including a civil action under 42 USC 1983.

I expect that you will move will all haste to correct them, and suggest that next Monday's council meeting would be an ideal time to do so.

Sincerely,

Andrew Rothman
Executive Director
Minnesota Association of Defensive Firearm Instructors

Mr. Rothman,

I received your two emails for the first time this morning. My email system will not accept emails that have attachments or internal internet links from people that have not sent me emails in the past.

I have had an opportunity to review your initial request and will speak with the city regarding your concerns. This item will not be on the agenda for the April 27th meeting.

I will forward any decision the City makes regarding your request to you via email.

Thank you for you legal opinion regarding the park rules and the City’s liability.

Soren