http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/15602014.htm
While I agree that none of this is probably going to go anywhere, if the only people drawing attention to this are the gun grabbers, that's not good news to us.
Randy
Tougher gun law is a long shotSession on violence seen as only a start
By CATHERINE LUCEY
[email protected] 215-854-4172
THE NUMBER ONE demand of local anti-violence activists - who plan to rally in Harrisburg tomorrow while the state House of Representatives holds a special session on violence - is tougher gun laws.
But, according to experts and legislators, tomorrow's session is unlikely to do much on guns.
"I think until the composition of the Legislature changes you're not going to get the kind of gun control legislation that those who live in urban centers think is necessary," said Jon Delano, a political analyst at Carnegie Mellon University.
The session - known as a Committee of the Whole House - is a meeting for the legislators to discuss potential bills and take unofficial tallies to gauge support.
Among legislators, it is viewed as little more than a starting point.
"It's allowing for a more free discussion that gives people a chance to find common ground and gives the leaders and the public an opportunity [to see] where the House is," said state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Center City.
The House last held a meeting like this in December on property tax reform.
"I really think it moved the property tax, wage tax discussion along," Josephs said.
The list of proposals for discussion is so long the session will likely continue on Wednesday. Ideas up for debate range from stricter illegal firearms laws to more education programs for kids to one-gun-a-month restrictions.
Outside of Philadelphia, experts say, there just isn't widespread support for gun control.
"This is not an issue across the state of Pennsylvania," said Delano. "A lot of the suggestions to deal with gun violence, to the extent that it affects the right to bear arms, are going to go nowhere."
Gun control legislation has long been viewed as a non-starter in Harrisburg, given the number of legislators who come from rural, pro-hunting communities where violence isn't as big a concern.
In fact, Delano said that outside Philadelphia, the special session is getting little attention.
"This has been a great big non-issue in western Pennsylvania," he said. "There has been no reporting of this special session, there has been no mention in the print media or the broadcast media."
State Rep. Dwight Evans, D-West Oak Lane, who helped put the session together, said he's not expecting massive change overnight.
"More than anything, now there's a level of attention focused on this issue of violence. The fact is we really need to attempt to do something about it," said Evans. "September 26 in my opinion is only the beginning."
Political consultant Larry Ceisler said that while gun-control change is unlikely to happen, this increased focus on crime and violence might yield some other helpful legislation.
"I don't think any legislation restricting the use of guns will occur," he said. "But when you look at [House Speaker] John Perzel propose [that] the state pays for more police, I think you're going to see alternative methods to fight violence."
A large coalition of Philadelphia anti-violence groups will travel to Harrisburg tomorrow for a prayer vigil and rally at the Capitol. At least 25 buses of people are scheduled to carry demonstrators from Philly.
Mayor Street also plans to hold a press conference in Harrisburg with a group of mayors from Pennsylvania and surrounding states, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"We recognize that changes in this area are going to be incremental," Street said. "But we're getting an audience."
It was not clear if the pro-gun lobby would be in attendance. The National Rifle Association did not respond to a request for comment.
While I agree that none of this is probably going to go anywhere, if the only people drawing attention to this are the gun grabbers, that's not good news to us.
Randy
