GUN BILL REACTION Charleston's Mayor Blasts Legislature's Attempt To Wipe Out Local Firearm Laws
Reported by: Kennie Bass
Videographer: Matt Durrett, Troy Morgan
Web Producer: Kennie Bass
Reported: Mar. 12, 2013 6:13 PM EDT
Updated: Mar. 13, 2013 8:35 AM EDT
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones says he thinks delegates didn't know what they were voting for when they passed a measure which would invalidate local gun ordinances and give the legislature complete control over West Virginia gun laws.
"I don't think the members speaking about it yesterday had acquainted themselves with the content of this bill," Jones said.
Jones says the bill not only does away with Charleston's one handgun a month limit and three day waiting period between purchase and acquisition, he says it also invites lawsuits from gun owners and gun organizations, could dictate where gun shops are located and forbids cities from having gun buy-back programs.
"This is an N.R.A. bill," Jones said. "It was written of, by and for the N.R.A. They're trying to set us up for lawsuits."
Charleston's ordinance has been on the books since 1993. The man who introduced the measure questioned the wisdom of delegates who want to get rid of it.
"It is incredulous to me that the legislature would come in and usurp the action that is taken by this city, supported overwhelmingly by its citizens," Tom Lane, Charleston City Council member said.
Jones also takes issue with how the gun bill debate proceeded, particularly with comments by Kanawha County delegate Mark Hunt.
"So, when the mayor or the city council calls us idiots..." Hunt said during the House floor discussion.
"I've never referred to him as an idiot," Jones said. "I don't know if he's an idiot. Maybe he can verify where I called him an idiot. Or maybe he can tell us he's not an idiot."
Jones says he is already talking with members of the state senate in an attempt to derail the measure.
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