Guns in Public: Exploring California's Open Carry Policy

They should have held this at the Roundup Saloon, in our opinion, but instead the Commonwealth Club has opted to host a discussion on the Open Carry movement and Second Amendment rights at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall.

Check your iron at the door. We make light, but we don't know if Open Carry folks who may be in attendance during the June 17 discussion will be allowed to come "strapped." We do know that local police are not exactly thrilled with the possibility of people wearing guns at a public meeting.

"Open carry groups have been congregating at different locations to demonstrate their right to carry unloaded, unconcealed fire arms in public. Others have come out en mass (sic) to protest this right," a flier for the event intones. "...As the state struggles with what’s right – constitutionally and morally – we take a close look at this controversy from all sides."

"Guns in Public, Exploring California's Open Carry Policy" will be debated by Lori Saldaña, California State Assembly Member and author of AB1934 - legislation that would make carrying even an unloaded, holstered firearm for anything except parade purposes a misdemeanor; Karen Arntzen, California Chapter Services Coordinator, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and Adnan Shahab, Republican candidate for State Assembly and an Open carry advocate.

Additional panelists will be announced as they are added to the night's agenda.

Tickets: $12 Commonwealth Club members, $22 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID)