Despite a request from the Concerned Citizens of Burlington to ban guns at the Commons Park, that will not be happening.

Earlier this month Concerned Citizens president Ed Moellendick went before the Lawrence County Commissioners to request that they post a sign banning guns, including concealed weapons at the park. The commission owns the park.

Moellendick said he was making the request to protect children playing there.

The commissioners forwarded that request to Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson.

Making the opinion for Anderson was assistant prosecutor Robert Anderson.

Anderson said the Ohio Revised Code prohibits posting such signs.

“The Ohio Revised Code prohibits a person who has a valid concealed handgun license to carry a concealed handgun into certain places, such as a police station, a courthouse a school safety zone,” Anderson’s letter to the commissioners states. “However the list of places where it is prohibited to carry a concealed handgun does not include a public park, such as the Burlington Commons Park.”

The only way such a sign could be posted would be if the park were leased and operated by a private person or entity, according to Anderson.

“I would further advise you that ORC states ‘a political subdivision shall be immune from liability in a civil action … for any injury, death or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto any premises or property owned, leased or otherwise under the control of the political subdivision,’” the opinion states.