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http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/05/gun_rights_activists_are_chall.html
SNIP
Gun rights activists are challenging municipal laws prohibiting people from carrying guns in parks
By MONICA VON DOBENECK, The Patriot-News
May 14, 2010, 12:00AM
. . .
The state law that lets just about anybody openly carry a loaded gun anywhere is butting up against municipal laws that outlaw guns from local parks where children play.
Upper Allen Township is reversing its ban on guns in parks after a resident wrote officials that the ordinance is illegal. Manager Lou Fazekas said officials were aware earlier that the ban is at odds with the state’s Uniform Firearms Act, but decided against taking action until a resident raised a complaint.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel,” Fazekas said. “We have to comply with state laws.”
It’s not a change that sits particularly well with Susan Vigliano as she sat with friends at a picnic table under a shade tree at the Upper Allen Township Community Park while their children played on Wednesday.
“As a parent, I don’t like the idea of having guns in parks,” she said.
Her friend, Angela Moran, said she grew up around guns and “a law’s a law,” but “I don’t really understand why you would bring a gun to a park.”
Heidi Bert said she could see the purpose if, for instance, someone is running by herself in a remote area.
She said she would “probably pay a little more attention” if she saw someone carrying a gun. “I wouldn’t leave unless I got an eerie feeling,” Bert said.
Nationwide, advocates of open carry have been increasingly challenging restrictions on their rights. They made headlines recently for visiting Starbucks while armed.
President Barack Obama approved a law in February allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks, reversing a law originally signed by President Ronald Reagan.
“The speed at which guns laws are being relaxed is increasing,” said John Pierce, a co-founder of OpenCarry.org. “We’re very happy about it.”
. . .
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/05/gun_rights_activists_are_chall.html
SNIP
Gun rights activists are challenging municipal laws prohibiting people from carrying guns in parks
By MONICA VON DOBENECK, The Patriot-News
May 14, 2010, 12:00AM
. . .
The state law that lets just about anybody openly carry a loaded gun anywhere is butting up against municipal laws that outlaw guns from local parks where children play.
Upper Allen Township is reversing its ban on guns in parks after a resident wrote officials that the ordinance is illegal. Manager Lou Fazekas said officials were aware earlier that the ban is at odds with the state’s Uniform Firearms Act, but decided against taking action until a resident raised a complaint.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel,” Fazekas said. “We have to comply with state laws.”
It’s not a change that sits particularly well with Susan Vigliano as she sat with friends at a picnic table under a shade tree at the Upper Allen Township Community Park while their children played on Wednesday.
“As a parent, I don’t like the idea of having guns in parks,” she said.
Her friend, Angela Moran, said she grew up around guns and “a law’s a law,” but “I don’t really understand why you would bring a gun to a park.”
Heidi Bert said she could see the purpose if, for instance, someone is running by herself in a remote area.
She said she would “probably pay a little more attention” if she saw someone carrying a gun. “I wouldn’t leave unless I got an eerie feeling,” Bert said.
Nationwide, advocates of open carry have been increasingly challenging restrictions on their rights. They made headlines recently for visiting Starbucks while armed.
President Barack Obama approved a law in February allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks, reversing a law originally signed by President Ronald Reagan.
“The speed at which guns laws are being relaxed is increasing,” said John Pierce, a co-founder of OpenCarry.org. “We’re very happy about it.”
. . .
