Bookman
Campaign Veteran
imported post
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/387227_citygunsed.html
Seattle's Gun Law: OK, make it legal SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
The mayor of Seattle and the attorney general disagree about the legality of the city's gun ban on public property.
Attorney General Rob McKenna says state law "does pre-empt a city's authority to adopt firearms laws or regulations of application to the general public, unless specifically authorized by state law."
However, Regina LaBelle, legal counsel to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, told the P-I: "We always have to keep in mind not just state law but also federal laws. But our bottom line is that we want to have common-sense gun laws."
We absolutely agree -- and think the Legislature should take this "case" up quickly and specifically authorize Seattle's ordinance. We think it gives urban areas a needed tool to reduce gun violence.
The bottom line for us is that it makes sense for tougher standards to apply for individuals carrying handguns on public property. The notion of a single, statewide pre-emption standard does not make sense any longer (if it ever did). We don't want people carrying weapons into libraries, concerts or other public events. A city -- any city -- ought to be able to enact a ban at such events without state pre-emption -- especially if it's clear that this represents the majority will.
Seattle is on the right course here; it's the road leading to a more common-sense approach to gun laws. We'd like to see this issue solved without expensive litigation. We're counting on the Legislature to make it so.
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Fortunately, the 40+ comments so far, with few exceptions are totally against this. A couple of normally anti-gun folks even spoke against it.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/387227_citygunsed.html
Seattle's Gun Law: OK, make it legal SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
The mayor of Seattle and the attorney general disagree about the legality of the city's gun ban on public property.
Attorney General Rob McKenna says state law "does pre-empt a city's authority to adopt firearms laws or regulations of application to the general public, unless specifically authorized by state law."
However, Regina LaBelle, legal counsel to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, told the P-I: "We always have to keep in mind not just state law but also federal laws. But our bottom line is that we want to have common-sense gun laws."
We absolutely agree -- and think the Legislature should take this "case" up quickly and specifically authorize Seattle's ordinance. We think it gives urban areas a needed tool to reduce gun violence.
The bottom line for us is that it makes sense for tougher standards to apply for individuals carrying handguns on public property. The notion of a single, statewide pre-emption standard does not make sense any longer (if it ever did). We don't want people carrying weapons into libraries, concerts or other public events. A city -- any city -- ought to be able to enact a ban at such events without state pre-emption -- especially if it's clear that this represents the majority will.
Seattle is on the right course here; it's the road leading to a more common-sense approach to gun laws. We'd like to see this issue solved without expensive litigation. We're counting on the Legislature to make it so.
----------------------------------------------------------
Fortunately, the 40+ comments so far, with few exceptions are totally against this. A couple of normally anti-gun folks even spoke against it.