CTGUNTALK.COM

Spartanburg County Council's lone Democrat wants Sheriff Chuck Wright to stop encouraging residents to obtain concealed weapons permits. Councilman Michael Brown says his constituents believe the statements promote an environment of lawlessness in the community.

“I think it's irresponsible, irreprehensible and of course incendiary if you keep on making these types of comments,” Brown said during a portion of Monday evening's council meeting devoted to honoring a local group's efforts to mentor at-risk youth.

Wright, who did not attend the council meeting, said Tuesday that he's always insisted the use of weapons should be a last resort.

Brown, with about three dozen young members of the group Black Boys of Distinction gathered at the front of council chambers on Monday, said community leaders should be focused on spending time with at-risk youth in the community rather than encouraging residents to obtain weapons permits.

“I would say to continue to advocate for the instrumentalities of violence is contrary to a large group of people in this community,” Brown said during Monday's meeting. “The fact that you see me standing up here, I represent that segment of this community, the community that often times you will find yourself dealing with in a negative manner.”

In late October, in the wake of an attempted rape at a popular park in Spartanburg County, Wright implored female residents to obtain concealed weapons permits, saying that residents need to fight back. The comments made national news and precipitated a spike in interest in concealed weapons classes.