FoxNews.com
Friday, May 17, 2002
Gun Forces Move Fight to Local Level
By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
http://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,52999,00.html
WASHINGTON — Gun control advocates who concede they have less sway with the Bush administration haven’t given up the fight for more aggressive laws at the local and state levels.
But where some advocates are fighting for tougher regulations, proponents of additional gun rights are scoring their own victories, creating a battleground on local and state turf.
"Today, the administration is not driving an anti-gun agenda," said David Kopel, research director for the Independence Institute in Colorado, who says the activity has shifted to the states, especially over new "concealed carry" laws. "It's going on in a bunch of places."
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a gun control opponent, agrees that the movement has shifted to the local level.
"It's more strategic," he said. "It's more of a localized fight right now."
Schiff said national gun control groups have also shifted the fight, and are concentrating on facilitating grassroots efforts in places where gun control is welcome.
For instance, in Northern Virginia local governments are currently battling the state over whether they can pass bans on guns in 100 parks and recreation centers. They might run into trouble since Virginia, like 40 other states, prohibits local gun control measures.
In California, municipalities won the right to shut down gun shows on private property after the state Supreme Court ruled in their favor. The matter, however, is still pending in a federal appeals court.
In New York City, Democratic Councilman David Yassky has proposed a bill that would give victims of gun violence the right to sue gun manufacturers who don’t follow specific safety agreements.
But the proposal is one that is currently up against a much larger force. In one of its few gun-related activities, the U.S. Congress is currently considering passing a pair of bills that would prevent local municipalities and states from filing lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
Likewise, some efforts to change local laws may be preceded by state efforts. In Ohio, the first district court just ruled that a ban on concealed weapons is unconstitutional. The ruling, which only applies to Hamilton County, is likely to head to the state Supreme Court, and is acting as a proxy for a statewide legislative debate on concealed weapons. A measure already passed the House to overturn the ban and was on its way to the Senate when the Senate president suggested waiting until a ruling from the state high court.