Columbia council repeals weapons ban

Columbia City Council repealed its controversial temporary weapons ban for the State House perimeter on Tuesday.

Council voted 5-0 with little discussion. Council members Leona Plaugh and Moe Baddourah were not present.

They also applauded law enforcement’s performance over the past weekend. Five people were arrested Saturday after multiple small clashes between KKK members, observers and members of other extremist groups

Council banned guns within 250 feet of the State House property at the request of law enforcement when the KKK announced it would rally there to protest the state’s removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds. There already is a ban against carrying weapons on the grounds themselves.

One Lexington County resident sued last week, saying the ban was illegal. And this week, the office of state Attorney General Alan Wilson issued an opinion that deemed it illegal.