Why has Phoenix banned gun safety ads?

Gun Rights Examiner ^ | October 21, 2010 | David Codrea

[Neil E. Wright]

"The city of Phoenix, in an apparently arbitrary move and without formal legal process, has forced CBS Outdoors to tear down 50 illuminated bus-shelter billboards under contract to promote gun safety training for children and their parents," gun law author Alan Korwin's email alert begins.

The posters were placed by TrainMeAZ.com, a commercial joint-educational effort of the firearms industry in Arizona, and had been up all over the Phoenix metro area for a little over one week before the city acted.

Who (besides rabid anti-gunners who preach denial and avoidance to "feel safe," of course) could be against gun safety training? Especially in a state with so many gun owners carrying openly and concealed?

And who has authority to interfere in freedom of expression this way?

Apparently Assistant Phoenix city attorney Ted Mariscal thinks he does.

[He] claimed in a conference call with Mr. Korwin and CBS Outdoor that the billboards weren't commercial enough, the message was too vague, and then demanded the message be changed to his satisfaction. When pressed for a definition of what is either sufficiently commercial or what defines a public service ad he declined to respond...

A Ninth Circuit abortion ad decision and a city leasing agreement are cited as the authority the city can wield to suppress the ads. The thing is:

No lease agreement has been provided, and the city apparently has no definitions in place, apparently leaving Mr. Mariscal to act on his own unfettered accord. Nothing in the city's advertising guidelines, provided by Mr. Mariscal, appear to justify the censored ads.

This is arbitrary tyranny.

[Neil E. Wright]

This is near the height of absolute stupidity. Gun safety training ads being banned in Phoenix.

Phoenix FReepers, have you read anything about this in your local media?

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[kbennkc]

I smell a lawsuit! “I can't feel my legs, I can't feel my legs.” I only know slip and fall shysters.

[HiJinx]

I forwarded the e-mail alert to three family members in Phoenix asking them the same question - have they seen this in local media?

No response, yet...

[Question Liberal Authority]

Everywhere in America you'll find ridiculous sign ordinances.

In this case, the sign is not allowed to have a public service announcement. It has to be a commercial use.

I've had to deal with the City of Phoenix for decades on any number of ridiculous issues. Maybe 50 feet away you could have the sign or 100 feet away you couldn't have a sign at all. It's not ideological. It's NIMBY's (Not In My Back Yard) and BANANA's (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) in a neighborhood screaming at the City Council that they don't this or that in their neighborhood.

[Question Liberal Authority]

I forwarded the e-mail alert to three family members in Phoenix asking them the same question - have they seen this in local media?

I live in Phoenix. I heard about this on local right wing radio yesterday.

[YHAOS]

"This is arbitrary tyranny."

Welcome to the USSA . . . comrade.

[MasterGunner01]

Just a wild guess — Phoenix has a Donkey mayor and city council? Just a guess. Need confirmation.

[YHAOS]

"Need confirmation."

Me too. Like you said, just a wild guess.

[Still Thinking]

It seems to be in the normal loop of newsbits at the top and bottom of the hour on the local Fox radio affiliate. I’ve heard about it at least twice in two days. And they actually quoted Alan Korwin, which is good.

[HiJinx]

Good, I’m glad to hear that!