Mark Tyson
Member
Kan. Town Requires Homes to Have Guns
GEUDA SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) - Residents of this tiny south-central Kansas community have passed an ordinance requiring most households to have guns and ammunition.
Noncomplying residents would be fined $10 under the ordinance, passed 3-2 earlier this month by City Council members who thought it would help protect the town of 210 people. Those who suffer from physical or mental disabilities, paupers and people who conscientiously oppose firearms would be exempt.
``This ordinance fulfills the duty to protect by allowing each individual householder to provide for his or her protection,'' said Councilman John Brewer.
``This is simply using the U.S. Constitution - Second Amendment in particular - to the city of Geuda Springs' advantage.''
Geuda Springs has no local police force; the Sumner County Sheriff's department is responsible for policing the area. Sheriff Gerald Gilkey said the ordinance makes him concerned for the safety of his officers.
``This throws up red flags,'' he said.
The town's city attorney, Thomas Herlocker, also opposes the measure, which has not taken effect because it has yet to be published. He said he plans to ask the council to reverse itself on the issue. The council meets next on Dec. 1.
Whitney Watson, a spokesman for Attorney General Phill Kline, declined to comment on the legality of such an ordinance, which is similar to one passed in Kennesaw, Ga., 21 years ago that is still in effect.
Many Geuda Springs residents refused to talk about it, and others were tightlipped, saying outsiders should stay out of it.
``It's nobody's business but our own,'' said Phillip Russell, who owns a motorcycle shop in the town. ``Everybody out of town is making this their business.''
11/23/03 17:52
GEUDA SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) - Residents of this tiny south-central Kansas community have passed an ordinance requiring most households to have guns and ammunition.
Noncomplying residents would be fined $10 under the ordinance, passed 3-2 earlier this month by City Council members who thought it would help protect the town of 210 people. Those who suffer from physical or mental disabilities, paupers and people who conscientiously oppose firearms would be exempt.
``This ordinance fulfills the duty to protect by allowing each individual householder to provide for his or her protection,'' said Councilman John Brewer.
``This is simply using the U.S. Constitution - Second Amendment in particular - to the city of Geuda Springs' advantage.''
Geuda Springs has no local police force; the Sumner County Sheriff's department is responsible for policing the area. Sheriff Gerald Gilkey said the ordinance makes him concerned for the safety of his officers.
``This throws up red flags,'' he said.
The town's city attorney, Thomas Herlocker, also opposes the measure, which has not taken effect because it has yet to be published. He said he plans to ask the council to reverse itself on the issue. The council meets next on Dec. 1.
Whitney Watson, a spokesman for Attorney General Phill Kline, declined to comment on the legality of such an ordinance, which is similar to one passed in Kennesaw, Ga., 21 years ago that is still in effect.
Many Geuda Springs residents refused to talk about it, and others were tightlipped, saying outsiders should stay out of it.
``It's nobody's business but our own,'' said Phillip Russell, who owns a motorcycle shop in the town. ``Everybody out of town is making this their business.''
11/23/03 17:52
