GULFPORT, MS — Gulfport City Council President F.B. “Rusty” Walker, IV, is leading the opposition against a newly passed ordinance that bans open and concealed carry firearms at city council meetings, except for those with enhanced carry permits. The ordinance, approved in a 4-3 vote, also mandates wanding attendees, which Walker slammed as an invasion of privacy that exposes law-abiding citizens exercising their rights.
“This is nothing more than security theater that erodes both our Second and Fourth Amendment rights,” Walker said in a statement released by his reelection campaign. “It’s unnecessary, unconstitutional, and creates barriers between citizens and their government.”
The measures go beyond enforcing existing state laws by introducing local procedures that critics argue are redundant and overly intrusive. Walker, along with other opponents, has called the move a solution in search of a problem, noting that Gulfport has had no incidents related to firearms at public meetings.
A Divisive Decision
The council’s 4-3 vote last Tuesday exposed an unusual political divide in Gulfport’s Republican-majority council. Walker, joined by fellow Republican Myles Sharp and Democrat Kenneth Casey, opposed the ordinance. Meanwhile, Republicans R. Lee Flowers, Ron Roland, and Richard Kosloski aligned with Democrat Ella Holmes-Hines to pass the measure.
The ordinance prohibits open carry firearms in council chambers during public meetings, replicating existing state laws. Additionally, the council approved a contract with Swetman Security to conduct wanding at public meetings, a move that Walker and others criticized for forcing enhanced carry permit holders to disclose their firearms.
“Our current security measures, which include trained law enforcement at every meeting, work,” Walker said. “Adding invasive searches and banning open carry doesn’t protect anyone; it only discourages citizen participation in their government.”
The council’s decision has sparked considerable debate among Gulfport residents, many of whom took to social media to voice their opinions.
David Shoemake commented, “I simply can’t imagine why this would be an issue for the Board to use their time on. There are real issues to govern. Real problems to address.” Roland Cranford was more pointed, writing, “Who is the idiot that came up with the decision to have TSA-style searches of citizens at public meetings?”
A False Sense of Security
Walker emphasized that the measures create a “false sense of security” and undermine public trust. “Real safety comes from trust and enforcement, not from treating every citizen like a potential threat. Policies like this don’t make us safer—they make us less free.”
His concerns mirror those of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, which condemned the ordinance as ineffective. The NRA stated, “Gulfport has not experienced any issues related to open carry at council meetings. Law-abiding citizens are being unfairly targeted, while criminals will simply ignore another so-called ‘gun-free zone.’”
What’s Next for Gulfport?
The ordinance now heads to Republican Mayor Billy Hewes. While the mayor has yet to formally announce his decision, Hewes is expected to veto the ordinance, as sources suggest his stance aligns with critics who argue the ordinance is redundant and overly intrusive.
Walker urged residents to remain engaged in their local government, noting, “The best way to ensure our government serves the people is to stand up for our values and stay involved.”
If Hewes follows through with a veto, the council would need a supermajority to override it — a prospect that seems unlikely given the close 4-3 vote.
