http://www.examiner.com/a-1333802~Ph...trol_laws.html
Philadelphia mayor challenges state by signing 5 gun control laws
Filed under: PHILADELPHIA , Philadelphia Gun Laws
PHILADELPHIA (Map, News) - Mayor Michael Nutter signed five new gun-control laws that defy the state Legislature and legal precedent, comparing the action to the stand early colonists took against the British monarchy.
"Almost 232 years ago, a group of concerned Americans took matters in their own hands and did what they needed to do by declaring that the time had come for a change," Nutter said Thursday. "We are going to make ourselves independent of the violence that's been taking place in this city for far too long."
Among other restrictions, the bills would limit handgun purchases to one a month; require lost or stolen firearms to be reported to police within 24 hours; and outlaw the possession and sale of certain assault weapons.
Nutter signed the legislation in front of a table of confiscated weapons outside the police evidence room in City Hall. He noted the city's 74 homicides so far this year - 56 committed with handguns - and 1,734 people injured by guns last year.
The bills had passed City Council unanimously earlier in the day, despite the fact that a 1974 court ruling gives the state the sole right to enact gun laws.
Nutter said he would begin to enforce the laws immediately, except for the one-gun-a-month requirement, which takes effect in six months.
Kim Stolfer, vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association's legislative committee, suggested that the enactment of the laws was a criminal act.
"He's committing five misdemeanor crimes," Stolfer said. "What kind of message is he sending when he and City Council are willing to commit crimes for issues that are not going to work?"
National Rifle Association spokesman John Hohenwarter said he expected the organization to sue "within a short time frame."
In a 2005 nonbinding referendum, Philadelphia voters, by a 4-1 ratio, demanded that the state allow the city to pass its own gun laws.
Council members Darrell L. Clarke and Donna Reed Miller sponsored a set of gun-control measures bills last year, then sued the Legislature to allow them to move forward. That case is pending.