Posted on 01/18/2010 7:20:20 AM PST by marktwain
A number of municipalities throughout Pennsylvania have enacted, or are considering enacting, ordinances known popularly as Lost or Stolen that impose a duty to report lost or stolen firearms within a prescribed time period and set penalties for failure to make a report.
The justification for these ordinances is that they will somehow restrict the flow of illegal firearms into their municipalities and/or restrict straw-purchases. When asked how these ordinances will work, one is met with a deer in the headlights stare. The municipalities involved are being lobbied by gun-control organizations, at least two attorneys, at least two PA legislators and are being advised at least in some cases - by their respective solicitors to proceed with enacting such ordinances.
Beyond the civil rights of citizens, the issue here is that these elected officials, acting on behalf of their municipalities, are breaking the law. Despite being advised of this statute and this ruling local jurisdictions proceed to enact Lost or Stolen ordinances.
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18, PA Crimes Code, §6120. Limitation on the Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition precludes the regulation of the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammuni¬tion components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth by counties and municipalities.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
each city has a city lawyer who is responsible for issuing a “go or no go” with such proposals.
It would not surprise most to find out these lawyers are generally incompetent and know very little about the law. They are mostly “do you know who I am” ego driven.
Their view is essentially ALL ordinances are legal unless a judge says otherwise. IOW those cities would bring back slavery until a judge says otherwise.
When there are no repercussions for pushing bad laws why should they care?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.