NRA suing Pittsburgh and Philadelphia over gun laws

[VJ_Messiah 22]

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/01/14/NRA-suing-Pennsylvania-cities-over-gun-laws/stories/201501140192

Let no one accuse the National Rifle Association of being slow on the draw: It is suing Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Lancaster, just days after a new state law allowed it to challenge local gun ordinances in court.

“These municipalities have known for years that their ordinances were illegal, but there were no consequences,” said Jonathan Goldstein, a Chester County attorney representing the NRA. “Now it’s about to get expensive.”

While state law has barred local officials from passing their own gun laws since 1974, many municipalities have rules that, for example, ban firearms from public property. But last year’s passage of Act 192 gave the NRA new firepower in overturning such measures.

The law, which went into effect Jan. 5, allows any Pennsylvanian eligible to own a gun, or a group with such a person as a member, to challenge any local gun ordinance in the state. If the suit is successful, the municipality must pay the plaintiff’s legal fees.

The complaint filed against Pittsburgh was not available Wednesday, but Mr. Goldstein said it names a handful of ordinances. One prohibits carrying firearms in a vehicle or in person without a state permit to do so. Another prohibits discharging a firearm except at target ranges, or in cases permitted by state law. A third requires gun owners to report the loss or theft of stolen firearms.

In a statement Wednesday, the NRA said “a patchwork of local gun-control ordinances creates confusion” for citizens and police. But Act 192 is itself the subject of a legal challenge now in Commonwealth Court joined by Pittsburgh, Lancaster and Philadelphia — the three municipalities the NRA is suing.

“The NRA are bullies, and they don’t like to be challenged,” said Shira Goodman, executive director of gun-control advocacy group CeaseFirePA. The lawsuit “is a way to punish and strike back.”

“The largest cities [are] the ones that take these actions, and they are the ones who receive these actions,” responded Mr. Goldstein of Berwyn, Pa. “If we get these three municipalities to yield, it will convince others to do the right thing.”

It’s unclear how the NRA lawsuits would be affected by the challenge to the law that made them possible. Bruce Ledewitz, Duquesne University law professor, said a judge could put the NRA’s case on hold until Act 192’s validity is decided by a higher court. Optionally, he said, a judge might reason that “if the legislature gave people rights against the government, you should allow those rights to be exercised.”

While the city couldn’t comment directly on the lawsuit, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto told reporters, “We will not be deterred, and we will keep our lawsuit going” against Act 192.

“We’re not taking away anyone’s right to own a gun,” he added. “What we’re saying is when a gun is lost or stolen, you’ve got to report it.”

Still, it’s unclear what impact such laws have had. The city has never charged anyone under the lost-and-stolen law. Spokesman Tim McNulty couldn’t provide information about whether anyone has been charged under the other ordinances at issue.

But Mr. Goldstein said that merely “the threat of being charged for exercising a lawful right is too much to take.”

Others seem to agree. Another gun-rights organization, U.S. Law Shield, sued the city of Harrisburg on Tuesday, while Kim Stolfer, founder of Firearm Owners Against Crime, said his group had sent letters warning other communities of potential legal action. He said 22 have responded either by saying they’d rescinded their ordinances or needed time to do so. But as many as 300 municipalities may have ordinances subject to challenge, he said.

“We don’t want to go to court,” Mr. Stolfer said. “We want them to do the right thing. But some of them aren’t.”

Mr. Goldstein also wouldn’t rule out future NRA suits against other Pennsylvania communities.

“I haven’t been given direction either way,” he said. “But it’s very tempting.”

http://www.ktbs.com/story/27852471/texas-to-consider-open-carry-gun-laws Texas to consider open carry gun laws

Texarkana, Texas -

Despite its reputation for being a gun-friendly state, Texas is one of only six states that ban open carry of handguns.

Although that could soon change.

Texas lawmakers have filed several bills to allow it.

Currently in the lone star state, you can carry long guns and black powder handguns openly.

However, to carry a modern handgun, a concealed handgun permit is required.

Gun-rights activist and Texarkana resident Conley Hennigan would like to see that changed.

"It's about having the choice to defend yourself in the way you see fit," said Hennigan.

Just outside the Texas capitol grounds, gun rights advocates held a small rally in support of bills that would allow the open carry of handguns without a license.

About a dozen men carried rifles and waved flags.

Hennigan says he's planning to rally with the group "Open Carry Texas" on January 26, 2015.

"We're going to try and garner support for HB195, which is a constitutional carry bill that we drafted along with the National Association of Gun Rights," said Hennigan.

Governor-elect Greg Abbott has pledged to sign open carry legislation into law, if it's sent to his desk.

Meanwhile, Hennigan believes the 140-year ban has a good chance of being rolled back.

"I'm surprised it hasn't always been the law. People think Texas and gun rights just go hand in hand, but there are actually alot of restricts in Texas when it comes to bearing arms," explained Hennigan.

In Arkansas, the law permits constitutional carry, which allows for the carrying of firearms, concealed or not, without restrictions.

Edited January 15, 2015 by VJ_Messiah

[VJ_Messiah 22]

Kudos to the NRA, Pennsylvania, and Texas for upholding the rights of Americans.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Do you have any buses buried around your compound? Are you exercising the right of prima nocta?

[VOL 425]

Texas we can carry long guns (Rifles and Shotguns) openly, I am not sure why that does not apply handguns