Philly City Government Ignores State Gun Pre-emption laws

It seems to be a matter of faith that these gun laws will make a difference, though no evidence is provided. The Philly Daily News has this:

Council's Committee on Public Safety approved legislation to limit handgun purchases to one a month; require owners to report lost or stolen guns to police; allow police to confiscate guns from people considered a risk to themselves or others; require a license from police to bring a gun into the city; ban semiautomatic weapons with clips that hold more than 10 rounds; and establish a registry for ammunition sales.

That legislation, introduced by Councilman Darrell Clarke, could be approved on Thursday.

Mayor Nutter, who has pledged to sign it into law and start enforcement, yesterday called it "the kinds of tools we need to make Philadelphia safer." The city Law Department, he added, is reviewing the legislation.

"Obviously, we want to be in the strongest position as it relates to enforcement," Nutter said.

This is a second try: The same legislation passed last year but was never enforced because it called for matching action by the state General Assembly that never came. Clarke sued the General Assembly, and Commonwealth Court is now deciding if the case can go forward.

By suing and trying to pass the legislation, Philadelphia is taking two routes to what it hopes is a final destination: A review by the state's Supreme Court of its 1996 ruling that struck down local gun-control laws in Philadelphia.

The state House and Senate, joined by the National Rifle Association, have challenged the city's ability to pass its own gun laws.

Clarke yesterday said that he was not sure what would happen if the city tried to enforce the laws in the face of that 1996 ruling.

"We're in uncharted waters at this point," Clarke said. "But given the level of significance of this issue, we think it's prudent for us to attempt every imaginable strategy as it relates to gun violence."

Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross yesterday told Council that his department supports the legislation. Later, he said it could have a "profound impact" on gun violence here. . . .

Thanks to Brock Barnes for sending me this link.