By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – Paducah City Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday allowing people to openly carry firearms in city parks. The change removes language prohibiting firearms in public parks, bringing current city ordinances into compliance with state law. Mayor Bill Paxton was reluctant to pass the measure. Paxton told The Paducah Sun that following the law makes the parks dangerous, but the city would abide by the state statute. Kentucky is one of 13 states allowing people ages 18 and over to openly carry guns on their persons in most public places, including public parks and City Hall. The state laws over-ride any local ordinance to the contrary. The Paducah ordinance is scheduled for passage September 13th.