Gun group (NRA) challenges Rocky Hill (CT) gun ban

WTNH-TV New Haven, CT ^ | June 3, 2002 | Staff

[LurkedLongEnough]

(Rocky Hill-AP, June 3, 2002 7:42 AM) _ The town of Rocky Hill finds itself in a duel with the National Rifle Association.

The NRA is questioning a town ordinance that forbids people from carrying firearms in town parks.

The NRA cites a 1984 state Supreme Court decision that forbids towns from writing laws regulating the sale of guns.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities says it backs the Rocky Hill ordinance as it stands now.

CCM spokesman Kevin Maloney says generally, state statute provides municipalities with broad powers to protect its citizens.

The ordinance was written about 20 years ago. The issue came up a few weeks ago when the town council began considering changing the park rules.

[LurkedLongEnough]

What do you say?

[Clemenza]

I know that CT is a shall issue state, but I also believe that one must first apply at the local Sherrif's office before getting a state license. It is a burdensome process, but amazingl allowed considering what a liberal state CT is.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Bang

[in the Arena]

I'm not sure on Connecticut but many states have preemption laws that prevent cities and townships from passing firearms ordinances that are more restrictive than the state laws. If the state does not have a preemption law the cities and townships are free to determine their own ordinances...This doesn't make it right though.

If CT does not have a preemption law and enacts one now I'm willing to bet the re-existing ordinances of the cities and towns will not be affected.

[in the Arena]

In reference to States Preemption, I believe Illinois does not have a specific preemption law and that is how Daley is able to enact restrictive laws in "his" city...

[glc1173@aol.com]

In Greensboro, North Carolina a few years ago when CCW permits were first issued by the state, a leftist county politician actually proposed designating all the streets of the city as city buildings to ban CCW on them - but was quickly told by the city attorney or county attorney that doing so would be illegal.

Generally, municipalities have very few legal powers - beyond those specifically delegated by state law. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld that legal principal.

GUN REVIEWS free from ad-money bias - emphasizing woman-friendliness of tested guns!

[LoneGOPinCT]

CT Bump!

If any one would like to be removed from my CT Bump list, please let me know and it will be done ASAP. Conversely, if you would like to be added the same holds true.

[chudogg]

Nice, my town shows up on Free Republic. I will have to use my mother's connections to try to help the NRA on this one.

[Shooter 2.5]

Keep us informed from the local papers. I hope the NRA succeeds with this because these states that don't have preemption laws can run us down chasing every little unconstitutional law. You are an NRA member, aren't you?

[Jerrybob]

The anti-gunners are on the run. It's time to put the final nails in the gun control coffin.

[Marobe]

Sounds like RockyHill needs to be Freeped ! The 2nd protects the rest.

[Shooter 2.5]

I don't believe they are on the run. If they were, we wouldn't have any problem arming the pilots, reversing the Assault Weapons Ban or getting rid of the Instant Check. As long as Schumer, Boxer, Feinstein, hillary and others like them are in office, there will always be a threat. We need every gun owner to join a gun group. I'm tired of 95% of the gun owners freeloading off of the 5%.

[MrNeutron1962]

Actually, it's the local police departments that first must issue a Local Carry Permit, then you apply to the State Police for a State Carry Permit. Many towns, and just about all the cities, only issue a few permits a year. I tried to get one in Danbury about 10 years ago, and got told that I was too late. It seems that the 25 permits that Danbury issued for that year were all gone. Danbury had a population of 55,000 at that time, this effectively prevented me from getting a hand gun permit in this state, until I moved anyway. When I ask if there was a waiting list, I was told NO.

Connecticut has a 2 week waiting period on long gun purchases, unless you have a pistol permit or a hunting license. Connecticut is not a gun owner friendly place, we also have a "Assault Rifle" ban that even extends to the guards at the states two nuclear power plants.

[Clemenza]

Sorry, I was comparing CT to New York and New Jersey. You have about as much chance of getting a carry permit in NYC and its suburbs as you do of discovering the car that runs on water.

[strela]

I don't think that the NRA have a hope in perdition of getting the courts to intervene (although I applaud them for trying). Morton Grove, IL. has a total ban on handguns IIRC and managed to get the court's blessing on their restrictive gun regulations. I don't recall if that was an appeals court or the USSC that upheld their anti-gun laws.

[Shooter 2.5]

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Morton Grove case.

[strela]

That's right - thanks for the reminder.

[in the Arena]

The Morton Grove case is the "text book" case for preemption. Illinois does not have a preemption law therefore Morton Grove was well within it's legal means to pass it's restrictive ordinance.

[SJackson]

In reference to States Preemption, I believe Illinois does not have a specific preemption law and that is how Daley is able to enact restrictive laws in "his" city...

You're right, or any other city.

HB 482 - statewide firearm preemption legislation is currently pending in Springfield.

[in the Arena]

We went through the same thing in AZ in 99' and 00'. Cities were passing ordinances in direct conflict with the State Constitution... Took a little work but it did get passed. I will admit AZ is more conservative than Illinois though.

A group in Tucson called BrassRoots did a lot of the leg work on this bill...www.brassroots.org

Good luck,

Jim