Tacking Into The Wind

The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial published an editorial today in support of Michael Bloomburg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

In addition to Philadelphia, officials in Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading, Easton, Pottsville, and Wilkinsburg have adopted such ordinances in hopes of forcing the hand of lawmakers who toe the National Rifle Association line.

Translation: Seven cities in Pennsylvania, while in a period of financial hardship, are wasting money defending illegal ordinances, in hopes of forcing the hand of lawmakers who to the Constitutional line.

As it happened, the city did come away with something: The court left untouched the city’s lost-and-stolen reporting requirement, its restrictions on gun ownership by people under domestic-abuse court orders, and its right to seize weapons when someone is regarded as a threat. That’s for now, since the case likely is headed to the state Supreme Court.

While the editorial is correct in that the court did leave these ordinances intact, the court only addressed the issue of standing, not the legality of these ordinances. The editorial board manages to leave this part out.

Fox 29 has a story on their website deriding the rise in out of state carry permits being issued to Philadelphia residents.

These permits to carry weapons can be obtained over the Internet. They are inexpensive and authorities say they are easy to get.

Let’s look to see exactly how easy on of these Florida concealed weapons permits are to get.

Who Is Eligible To Be Licensed?
Any person who meets the following minimum eligibility requirements can obtain a license:
• You must be a legal U.S. resident.
• You must be 21 years of age or older.
• You must be able to demonstrate competency with a firearm.
Who Is NOT Eligible?
There are several disqualifying conditions that will result in the ineligibility of the applicant and the denial of the application. Possible reasons for denial include the following:
• The physical inability to handle a firearm safely.
• A felony conviction (unless civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting authority).
• Having adjudication withheld or sentence suspended on a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence unless three years have elapsed since probation or other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled.
• A conviction for a violent crime in the last three years, either misdemeanor or felony.
• A conviction for violation of controlled substance laws or multiple arrests for such offenses.
• A record of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Two or more DUI convictions within the previous 3 years.
• Being committed to a mental institution or adjudged incompetent or mentally defective.
• Failing to provide proof of proficiency with a firearm.
• Having been issued a domestic violence injunction or an injunction against repeat violence that is currently in force.
• Renouncement of U.S. citizenship.
• A dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Being a fugitive from justice.

In addition, a to be issued a Florida Concealed Weapon Permit, an applicant must supply a passport-style photograph, a set of fingerprints, proof of firearms training, and $117. Doesn’t seem like a cheap, easy to obtain over the internet permit anymore, does it?

USA 2 – 0 ESP

A Pennsylvania court has overruled the City of Philadelphia’s Assalt Weapon Ban in a 6-1 decision. As I have written in the past, state wide preemption is necessary to protect our rights guaranteed by Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”