Two towns in our coverage area recently tweaked their gun ordinances in an effort to comply with a new state law that took effect this week. That law says towns cannot ban handguns from parks but can keep them off of "recreational facilities."

The question that confronted Smithfield and Garner was how to define recreational facility. Smithfield, we suspect, went too far. The town, for example, will allow handguns on its greenway but not on the walking trail at Community Park, which actually connects to the greenway. The thinking, we assume, is that while the walking trail is not a recreational facility, it passes close by playgrounds and ball fields, which certainly are. Our thinking is that Smithfield's definition of recreational facility will be too broad to withstand a court challenge.

Garner, on the other hand, defined "recreational facility" for what it seems to be - a playground, ball field, gym or swimming pool. That definition seems more in line with what the General Assembly, though we suspect the courts will ultimately write the definition. (And we suspect lawmakers were purposely vague in defining recreational facility because they wanted the courts to.)

As for those who think that law-abiding folks ought to be able to carry a gun wherever they want, we're sympathetic. At the same time, we sympathize with moms and dads who might be uncomfortable at the sight of someone packing a handgun on the playground. We sympathize too with referees who don't want to confront parents with pistols, and no one wants an athlete or spectator to get caught in the crossfire of an exchange of gunfire.

We know what gun-rights advocates are thinking right about now: Criminals, because they're criminals, are not going to respect a ban on handguns at recreational facilities. They're right, of course. We just don't know that a ban on handguns on playgrounds is worth challenging in a courtroom or in the court of public opinion.

We will forever defend the right of people in this country to bear arms, but we also support reasonable restrictions on where people can carry guns. Which is to say that if it's reasonable to keep handguns out of, say, courthouses, it's reasonable to keep them off of playgrounds too.

What do you think? Should towns allow handguns on playgrounds, ball fields and other recreational facilities? Send your comments to sbolejack@newsobserver.com.