The preemption rule exists to prevent bureaucratic inconsistencies in ordinance within the state, and likely to keep challenges at a minimum. Any rule that would go against the state Constitution would be struck down in court.
The state Constitution is more specific than the federal on the matter:
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
I like what they are saying in that press release. It is quite clear that the objective is for gun safety ... and the things it mentions requiring gun owners in Seattle to do are things that MOST responsible gun owners already do, or really should if they truly are what they claim (responsible).
I would like to see a total ban on all firearms, but basic wikipedia legal scholarship suggests that the Supreme Court has already decided this in McDonald vs. Chicago (which extended District of Columbia vs. Heller to states and municipalities). In Heller, DC's handgun ban and trigger lock were specifically found to violate the individual right to gun ownership that five justices found lurking in the Second Amendment.
Hell yes the city, or anyone else that will help, should try and run with this initiative. Last I checked the city is pretty good at putting initiatives on the ballot: IE family and ed, seawall, tunnel, etc.
Go to all this effort just to allow cities to impose better gun controls, that would be inconsistent with most of the rest of the state? Why? Better to follow Tina's idea in this morning's Crosscut -- run a statewide initiative to impose statewide controls.
@2 But Marijuana is the exact opposite problem. Current law is too restrictive.
You can allow something in only a few small areas, but you cannot effectively ban something in only a few small areas.
Some of those things, like trigger locks, very well could prevent some accidental deaths, but a citywide assault weapon ban is pretty pointless when a ten mile drive gets you to some place you can buy one.
No. The City should push as hard as it can for the success of Sen. Kohl-Welles to-be-dropped bill for gun control. I wish Harrell would not run for Mayor because he's going to be wasting his supporters' money, just as the City would waste money running an initiative.
Attempts at local regulation might make some people feel better, but it won't make anyone safer. But yeah, let's put up signs saying "No guns!" at community centers to stop criminals.
As a gun owner, this is the kind of proposal I'd like to see more of. No crazy ammo serialization, no cosmetic bans of one rifle while a functionally identical rifle is allowed due to trivial shit like flash-hiders or pistol grip forearms. Kudos to Harrell for actually appearing to have a grasp of the technicallties.
Will it affect mass shootings? No. Would it prevent a few accidental shootings? Yes.
federal or it'll be ineffective.
We have to start somewhere. Frankly, I think we could win a statewide gun-control initiative. We know Seattle can outvote the rest of the state.
The preemption rule exists to prevent bureaucratic inconsistencies in ordinance within the state, and likely to keep challenges at a minimum. Any rule that would go against the state Constitution would be struck down in court.
The state Constitution is more specific than the federal on the matter:
SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
You can allow something in only a few small areas, but you cannot effectively ban something in only a few small areas.
Some of those things, like trigger locks, very well could prevent some accidental deaths, but a citywide assault weapon ban is pretty pointless when a ten mile drive gets you to some place you can buy one.
Last time I checked, the only way to cancel a constituional amendment is with another constitional amendment. I am looking at you Volstad Act.
Will it affect mass shootings? No. Would it prevent a few accidental shootings? Yes.