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WINSTON-SALEM — Forsyth County commissioners remain sharply divided over whether to allow people with concealed-weapon permits to take their guns into county parks, but they decided last week to postpone action for at least a couple of weeks.

Board members learned on Thursday that even if they allow people to carry concealed weapons in parks, guns would not be allowed in Tanglewood Park because of the permit the county has there for alcoholic beverages.

They also learned that parts of Triad Park, which straddles the line between Guilford and Forsyth counties, could fall under different regulations if the two counties don't pass the same rules.

"I'm not opposed to someone carrying a weapon; I'm opposed to concealed weapons," said Commissioner Walter Marshall, calling the legislative changes that broadened the areas where people can carry concealed weapons "partisan right-wing politics."

Commissioner Bill Whiteheart, who has a concealed-weapon permit himself, said that the county shouldn't do anything to further restrict the carrying of concealed weapons or the open carrying of weapons, either.

And Whiteheart said the county needs to carve out an exception that would allow people to have concealed weapons on the parking lot of the county government center, as long as the guns are locked away.

Whiteheart acknowledged that he violates the existing ordinance because he keeps a gun locked in his vehicle while attending commissioners' meetings.

"It is illogical and inconvenient for concealed-carry permit holders," Whiteheart said.

Commissioners had planned to pass an ordinance of some kind tonight but decided last week to postpone action until Feb. 13.

Under the existing county code, guns are not allowed on county property, whether concealed or not.

Commissioners are considering changes to the ordinance to reflect changes passed by the N.C. General Assembly in 2011.

Under those changes, people are allowed to carry concealed weapons into recreational areas unless the county passes an ordinance to forbid it.

Winston-Salem officials responded to the new legislation by passing regulations that forbid concealed-carry weapons in city parks.

The question before the county board is whether to pass such an ordinance, which would basically keep in place the existing policy, or allow people to carry concealed weapons in parks.

Marshall said that he carried a gun during the 1980s because of racial tensions, and that he would have had no qualms about firing it at someone threatening him.

Commissioner Gloria Whisenhunt said people are making a mistake if they believe there aren't any guns being carried into parks now.

"I'm not concerned about those who have a concealed-carry permit, but I am concerned about those who don't," she said.

As for carrying weapons openly, Chief Deputy Brad Stanley of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says there's no ordinance against it.

Laws prohibit weapons on school property, at courthouses and other places, but even where not specifically banned, someone carrying a weapon openly would still get a lot of law enforcement attention, he said.

The N.C. Rifle and Pistol Association website says that while "in theory" it might be legal in some situations to carry a gun openly, it is more likely to be "a very good way to get arrested."

Stanley pointed out that the state does have a law against "going armed to the terror of the people." What that means is you can be charged with a violation if your carrying of a weapon scares the daylights out of folks.

"Most likely, people will call law enforcement and they will confront you and ask why you are walking down Main Street with a gun," Stanley said. "If I see a guy walking down the street and he has a gun, I will be inquisitive."