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Guns banned in city buildings
DULUTH CITY COUNCIL:Councilors drafted the ordinance out of concern that the state Legislature will ease the concealed-weapons permit law.
BY BAIRD HELGESON
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Handguns are no longer welcome in Duluth city buildings.
City councilors on Monday night approved an ordinance that bans handguns from city-owned buildings, even if a person has aconcealed-weapons permit. Mayor Gary Doty is expected to sign the ordinance.
"The city of Duluth advertises itself as a peaceful community," the Rev. Sharon Johnson said before the 6-3 vote. "This is an opportunity for the city to walk the talk."
Dozens of supporters packed council chambers wearing buttons that read: "GUNS DO NOT MAKE US SAFER."
The ordinance doesn't include the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and Duluth International Airport. Law enforcement officers, licensed security guards and the military would be exempt.
Anyone who violates the ordinance could be fined up to $700.
Opponents said the ordinance won't prevent someone bent on violence from shooting someone in a city building. They also said the ordinance is impossible to enforce unless the city installs metal detectors and hires security guards.
"What you are proposing is strictly unconstitutional," said John Gordon, an opponent of the ordinance. He said the law leaves law-abiding residents unarmed and vulnerable to violence in city buildings.
The ordinance was designed to protect city employees and residents from firearms, said Councilors Donny Ness and Greg Gilbert, who sponsored the ban.
Supporters pushed the change out of concern the Legislature will relax the state's concealed-weapons laws and make the permits far easier to obtain. Right now, only local sheriffs and police chiefs can issue concealed-weapons permits.
City Attorney Bryan Brown said the ordinance could be tough to defend in court. He said the chances of winning a legal challenge could be less than 50 percent.
Councilors Gilbert, Ness, Herb Bergson, Ken Hogg, Russ Stover and Russ Stewart voted to ban guns from city buildings. Councilors Neill Atkins, Rob Stenberg and Jim Stauber opposed the change.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/5257090.htm
DULUTH CITY COUNCIL:Councilors drafted the ordinance out of concern that the state Legislature will ease the concealed-weapons permit law.
BY BAIRD HELGESON
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Handguns are no longer welcome in Duluth city buildings.
City councilors on Monday night approved an ordinance that bans handguns from city-owned buildings, even if a person has aconcealed-weapons permit. Mayor Gary Doty is expected to sign the ordinance.
"The city of Duluth advertises itself as a peaceful community," the Rev. Sharon Johnson said before the 6-3 vote. "This is an opportunity for the city to walk the talk."
Dozens of supporters packed council chambers wearing buttons that read: "GUNS DO NOT MAKE US SAFER."
The ordinance doesn't include the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and Duluth International Airport. Law enforcement officers, licensed security guards and the military would be exempt.
Anyone who violates the ordinance could be fined up to $700.
Opponents said the ordinance won't prevent someone bent on violence from shooting someone in a city building. They also said the ordinance is impossible to enforce unless the city installs metal detectors and hires security guards.
"What you are proposing is strictly unconstitutional," said John Gordon, an opponent of the ordinance. He said the law leaves law-abiding residents unarmed and vulnerable to violence in city buildings.
The ordinance was designed to protect city employees and residents from firearms, said Councilors Donny Ness and Greg Gilbert, who sponsored the ban.
Supporters pushed the change out of concern the Legislature will relax the state's concealed-weapons laws and make the permits far easier to obtain. Right now, only local sheriffs and police chiefs can issue concealed-weapons permits.
City Attorney Bryan Brown said the ordinance could be tough to defend in court. He said the chances of winning a legal challenge could be less than 50 percent.
Councilors Gilbert, Ness, Herb Bergson, Ken Hogg, Russ Stover and Russ Stewart voted to ban guns from city buildings. Councilors Neill Atkins, Rob Stenberg and Jim Stauber opposed the change.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/5257090.htm
