Harrisburg mandatory metal detectors?

[StonewallRabbitry]

I just saw on the news that Harrisburg mayor wants to make it mandatory for bars to have metal detectors because of the recent shootings, If they did make this mandatory I would assume that it would be to not allow carry in the bars. Wouldn't that be a pre emption violation? The bar is a private business so they could say no firearms but if the city says no firearms in bars that should be a preemtion violation

[Curmudgeon]

Here's a written article... http://www.wgal.com/news/29938682/detail.html

[Daycrawler]

I dont know about the preemtion ,however every one will just go to there car and then the S can HTF outside. So if that does become the case I dont see it working. Just another law that will do nothing, The last I checked Murder was illegal!

[camper]

1 - Requires the bar to spend money locally to companies selling and installing metal detectors.
2 - Requires companies installing and selling metal detectors to generate revenue for the city in licensing.
3 - Allows the city to generate fines and fees to bars who are not in compliance.
4- Requires a compliance inspector, which would result in a (modest) tax increase across the board.

This would have NOTHING to do with safety, but instead is a reason to justify a new revenue stream for a city desperate for money.

camper

[Usmc0311]

It should be noted that Mayor Linda Thompson is completely dellsional. I don't mean than in a har har sort of way. She is entirely out of touch with reality. Thompson has repeatedly stated that "one of her number one priorities is public safety" yet this is her only initiative and obviously one that has not been thought out. Note at the end of the article where it talks about her hoping to reach out to the FBI and aurrondng counties. This is a regular thing for her- she talks about doing something but never does. Why hasn't she already reached out? Not to mention how unrealistic a database like this is. One thing that Thompson has succeeded with is her own public safety- two detectives escort her everywhere and even drive her to work. I guess there is not enough crime in Harrisburg if there are two unneeded detectives.

In the end this will likely never make it through city council and Thompson will blame them for not keeping the citizens safe.

The crime in Harrisburg is a cultural issue and one that Thompson has failed to even mention. She is the worst thing for a city amidst it's worst struggle.

[bogey1]

Originally Posted by camper

This would have NOTHING to do with safety, but instead is a reason to justify a new revenue stream for a city desperate for money.

camper

DUI checkpoints ring a bell?

[streaker69]

In PA, it's not illegal to have a firearm inside a bar, but passing an ordinance requiring detectors to be installed in bars, and then by extension telling people with firearms they aren't allowed in once detected, they are effectively banning firearms from bars.

So, this would seem to be a pre-emption violation wouldn't it?

Oh, Thompson is a fucking idiot.

[American1776]

My impression is that some of the Mayor's motivations is to grand-stand a little to make it look like she's 'addressing' the issues of violence in the city. Politicians do this all the time; publicly propose all kinds of preposterous requests for stupid legislation so that people think something is being done. Camden city council just got on TV last night and requested the national guard be deployed to Camden NJ, due to recent shootings/murders. Does he really think that the national guard will be deployed to Camden, NJ?

Similarly, does the mayor really think that bar owners will capitulate to being legally obliged to turn their businesses into little Soviet Russias--- spy cameras, metal detectors, 'secret agents' and all?

The really bad part of this sort of stupidity is that some people's stupid beliefs get reinforced when public officials say stupid stuff. People who are disallusioned enough to believe that guns are evil, state provided security is all you need, and personal freedom can be sacrificed for the public good, are 'vindicated' when this stuff gets publicity.

I do think, though, that more and more Americans are sick of this kind of crap thinking. Look at the polls and studies, all of which show that Americans are becoming MORE comfortable with owning firearms.

[IronButt]

Thompson's idea will do several things:
It'll cost small bar owners big bucks to implement.
It'll decrease business for the bar owners.
And it'll move the nightlife, violence, gangs & drugs to the burbs.

Good job Thompson! She must have a copy of Obama's Little Red Book of Economics.

[Storm88000]

Don't worry, it won't happen until the devices needed for detection come much cheaper. The wands are of course less expensive than the structural detectors but less effective and more invasive.