Thoughts on Philadelphia gun-control ordinance...

[stevie_d_64]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070504/ap_ ... a_gun_laws

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Philly bypasses state, OKs gun control

PHILADELPHIA - The City Council approved limits to gun purchases with the promise to sue state lawmakers to enforce it, saying the city could no longer wait for the Legislature as the murder rate skyrockets.

Only state lawmakers can enact firearms laws in Pennsylvania. But with 137 homicides in Philadelphia so far this year, Councilman Darrell Clarke said the city had to do something.

"It's utterly ridiculous where we are right now. It's an aberration when somebody doesn't get killed," Clarke said. "We can't wait any longer."

The council approved measures Thursday that would limit gun purchases to one a month and require gun owners to promptly report lost or stolen firearms.

Clarke, who co-sponsored the bills with Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, said the City Council would soon file a lawsuit against the General Assembly to give the city the authority to pass its own gun laws.

Philadelphia gun control "never had the votes to get out of committee, and that hasn't changed," said House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, a Republican.

The bills require Mayor John Street's approval, and he seems likely to sign them.

"We support Councilman Clarke and Councilwoman Reed Miller in their legislative efforts to reduce and prevent gun violence in Philadelphia," Street spokesman Joe Grace said.

[stevie_d_64]

If you are not sure if this will have a "ripple" effect on other areas around the country, I tried to add a third option on the poll, but it didn't take...

Please feel free to elaborate...

[nitrogen]

It's not going anywhere. It's completely against Pennsylvania's state law, which has pre-emption.

It'll get nowhere in court.

Of course, it'll anger a lot of philadelphia citizens.

[SRVA]

I'd like to see it pass. When it has no impact on the murder rate in the city, they'd have to take some effective measures.

[seamusTX]

I'd like to see it pass. When it has no impact on the murder rate in the city, they'd have to take some effective measures.

Like in Washington, D.C., and Chicago?

- Jim

[ScubaSigGuy]

Some of these folks must live in a vacuum. This hasn't been successful anywhere else. Why would it work in Philly?

[wjmphoto]

Considering that the law is immediately invalidated by Pennsylvania law, it is nothing more than a useless gesture. Just another example of grandstanding by local officials.

[stevie_d_64]

I'm liking what I'm seeing here...commentary-wise...

Does it appear to anyone else that if this were to pass, and be challenged between the two government entities that the purpose is two-fold...

One, would be to tie up the retail of this product "while" the two government entities square off in court...

And two, just to do it???

[GlockenHammer]

If you are not sure if this will have a "ripple" effect on other areas around the country, I tried to add a third option on the poll, but it didn't take...

Please feel free to elaborate...

Third option now added.

[GlockenHammer]

I'd like to see it pass. When it has no impact on the murder rate in the city, they'd have to take some effective measures.

I sort of agree. I don't like seeing anyone passing these laws and I would love it if this case proved that these silly laws don't work.

What I'm afraid of, however, is the argument that a city alone can't do much and this will become a cry from misguided individuals to broaden the scope of these laws to have some effect.

But to answer your question directly as to whether or not this will spread, I have to day "yes", but maybe not for the reasons you think. Wherever you go in America, you'll find a finite number of people that make the laws. It only takes a majority of those folks to pass a stupid law. There are enough people (especially lawmakers) that think they are making a difference by passing laws. Think of the "if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail"--all lawmakers can do is pass laws. Unfortunately, while the laws may have little of the intended consequences, they can sway public opinion from the misinformed that think this is a good idea and they'll get re-elected.

So yes, other politicians will pass laws like this, especially in Liberal areas like San Francisco, Chicago, etc. That's why I live in TX. Here the politicians are mostly smarter than that. If not, they don't stay around long. That's another reason to support the TSRA, by the way.

[KBCraig]

Philadelphia is just western New Jersey. Seriously, they should re-route the river around the city.

[jimlongley]

This from the city that dropped a bomb on itself back in the 80s. Can it be more than 20 years now? EEEEEEEKKKKK!!!!!

I think other cities will follow, there are just enough misguided politicians to see this as a good idea, after all it works so well in Chicago.

The problem with it passing and showing no effect is that the anti gun nuts will continue to push for more laws, claiming that it didn't work because the laws in surrounding cities and states were too lax, etc, etc, etc. This has happened continually throughout gun control history and will continue to do so, Carolyn McCarthy wants to re-establish the "Assault Weapons Ban" with even broader restrictions because it is logically obvious that the reason it didn't work the first time is because it wasn't strict enough.

It's time for national Vermont Style Carry, just like it used to be, when the west was wild and there were more murders in NY City and Chicago, each, than throughout the entire "wild west."

[TX Rancher]

This from the city that dropped a bomb on itself back in the 80s. Can it be more than 20 years now? EEEEEEEKKKKK!!!!!

I think other cities will follow, there are just enough misguided politicians to see this as a good idea, after all it works so well in Chicago.

The problem with it passing and showing no effect is that the anti gun nuts will continue to push for more laws, claiming that it didn't work because the laws in surrounding cities and states were too lax, etc, etc, etc. This has happened continually throughout gun control history and will continue to do so, Carolyn McCarthy wants to re-establish the "Assault Weapons Ban" with even broader restrictions because it is logically obvious that the reason it didn't work the first time is because it wasn't strict enough.

It's time for national Vermont Style Carry, just like it used to be, when the west was wild and there were more murders in NY City and Chicago, each, than throughout the entire "wild west."

I agree...Wasn't it NYC that said Virginia needs tougher gun laws since some of the VA weapons were ending up in NYC? Basically saying the ban would be effective if other places would only get onboard.

I also agree with National Vermont Style Carry...

[KBCraig]

I also agree with National Vermont Style Carry...

The wording for that should be, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary... "

Stop me if you've heard it before.

Kevin

[TX Rancher]

I also agree with National Vermont Style Carry...

The wording for that should be, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary... "

Stop me if you've heard it before.

Kevin

I absolutely agree sir! I just wish instead of "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.", it had been shortened to "The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

To many ways today to "spin" the militia part...