anyplainjoe
04-09-2008, 14:30
Supreme Court
Lawyer says concealed-carry law doesn't prevent cities from restricting guns
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 11:47 AM
Tom Dodge | Dispatch
There's nothing in the state law allowing people to carry concealed firearms that prevents cities from declaring parks off-limits to guns, concealed or otherwise, a lawyer for the northern Ohio city at the center of a closely watched case told the Ohio Supreme Court this morning.
John C. McDonald, a former legislator who represents the city of Clyde in the gun case, said gun-rights advocates are exaggerating what would happen if Clyde were allowed to enforce its no-guns-in-parks law.
“This is not a case about the Second Amendment or an individual's right to bear arms,” McDonald said. “Nor is it about the Emperor Caligula, Armageddon or the end of the world.”
Clyde adopted its ordinance after state lawmakers approved the concealed-carry law in 2004.
An appeals court struck down Clyde's ordinance, saying it conflicts with the statewide law allowing people who pass background checks to carry concealed weapons. That law exempts certain areas, including schools and hospitals but not public parks.
If Clyde wins the Supreme Court case, other cities will rush to punch holes in the concealed-carry law, said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.
“I think (this case) is vital to the survivability of the concealed-carry law,” Garvas said.
Lawyer says concealed-carry law doesn't prevent cities from restricting guns
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 11:47 AM
Tom Dodge | Dispatch
There's nothing in the state law allowing people to carry concealed firearms that prevents cities from declaring parks off-limits to guns, concealed or otherwise, a lawyer for the northern Ohio city at the center of a closely watched case told the Ohio Supreme Court this morning.
John C. McDonald, a former legislator who represents the city of Clyde in the gun case, said gun-rights advocates are exaggerating what would happen if Clyde were allowed to enforce its no-guns-in-parks law.
“This is not a case about the Second Amendment or an individual's right to bear arms,” McDonald said. “Nor is it about the Emperor Caligula, Armageddon or the end of the world.”
Clyde adopted its ordinance after state lawmakers approved the concealed-carry law in 2004.
An appeals court struck down Clyde's ordinance, saying it conflicts with the statewide law allowing people who pass background checks to carry concealed weapons. That law exempts certain areas, including schools and hospitals but not public parks.
If Clyde wins the Supreme Court case, other cities will rush to punch holes in the concealed-carry law, said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.
“I think (this case) is vital to the survivability of the concealed-carry law,” Garvas said.
