[Lazamataz]

No one attended because anyone who moderately pays attention knows that these hearings are for show.

Exactly. A decade or so back, I went to one of these 'public hearings' in Rochester, NY, as they prepared to ban 'assault weapons' in city limits.

I went to the podium and spoke of my DCM-CMP program shooting competitions, and how this would ban my sport.

Many other people went to the podium ... some collectors, some competitors, some who simply objected because of the horrible definitions and all-encompassing nature of the ban (Glock pistols and 1911-style .45's were caught up as 'assault weapons) in the definition... even the humble Ruger 10/22 was caught up.)

At the end, the leader of the City Council stood up and said, "I have listened to all of you. However, I recommend to my colleagues to pass this legislation. I will NOT REST if there is even ONE ASSAULT WEAPON in this city."

In other words, "Yeah, but f*** you."

[backwoods-engineer]

What a bunch of pansies. I bet you’re glad you escaped that tyrannical gulag of a town.

[LostInBayport]

At the end, the leader of the City Council stood up and said, "I have listened to all of you. However, I recommend to my colleagues to pass this legislation. I will NOT REST if there is even ONE ASSAULT WEAPON in this city."

His mind was made up before the meeting, and like any true ideologue, he wasn't going to let anything change it. Plus, he probably spent a good amount of time rehearsing that dramatic announcement and wasn't about to miss his "moment" for something trivial like giving consideration to the views of others.