Lost or Stolen in Bethlehem

[zackattack784]

http://www.wfmz.com/lehighvalleynews...03/detail.html

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- City officials in Bethlehem are considering a stolen gun law.
A newly-proposed ordinance makes it mandatory to report a stolen or missing firearm within 24 hours of its disappearance.
Similar laws are already in place in Allentown and in Wilson, Northampton County.
Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan said he supports the law because it targets illegal gun traffickers who put police and others in danger.
But not everyone agrees.
Lehigh County D.A. Jim Martin said municipalities can't pass their own stolen gun laws.
If the law passes, he said he'll tell police not to enforce it on the Lehigh County side of Bethlehem.

I have not been impressed with Jim Martin's work in Lehigh County with the overcharging for LTCF's, but apparently he gets it here.

[ShooterInPA1]

These laws are simply NOT REASONABLE and are ONEROUS.

Who has the time to check 50+ guns each and every night?

[electronics]

These laws are simply NOT REASONABLE and are ONEROUS.

Who has the time to check 50+ guns each and every night?

50 guns?! What do you need 50 guns for! Are you some kind of criminal?!


People are nuts thinking turning victims of theft into criminals is going to help anybody.

[IronSight]

http://www.wfmz.com/lehighvalleynews...03/detail.html


I have not been impressed with Jim Martin's work in Lehigh County with the overcharging for LTCF's, but apparently he gets it here.

That's strange, since the exact same law applies in both situations.

[uniballin]

That's strange, since the exact same law applies in both situations.

Maybe he's trying to save some face in the gun community?

[jizmo3]

separate but related. I have been working with Joe Brennan regarding standardization of gun licensing fee's with Sheriff's. Apparently there is a Sheriff's act which allows them to add additional fee's. Understanding this is a subjective analysis, the county DA's and Sheriff's may believe under the act they are legally allowed to charge the additional fee's.

But both Bethlehem county DA's basically publicly stated they would tell the BPD not to enforce the lost or stolen ordinance if passed. It is pre-empted and they do not have the resources to fight the pre-emption (one of the reasons)
I did snap off a quick email to the Bethlehem city council to urge not even considering this but under the direction of Mayor Callahan, I would not be surprised if they push this through full well knowing they are breaking state law.
Callahan is an ardent supporter of mayors against illegal guns. And since he is running against Dent he will push the liberal agenda regardless of common sense. Really hope he goes down in flames but doubt it.

[IronSight]

separate but related. I have been working with Joe Brennan regarding standardization of gun licensing fee's with Sheriff's. Apparently there is a Sheriff's act which allows them to add additional fee's. Understanding this is a subjective analysis, the county DA's and Sheriff's may believe under the act they are legally allowed to charge the additional fee's.

I'll just respond to this part of your post. The "sheriff fee act" has ONE fee that is a part of the overall $25 in fees, and that's it. There is NOT authorization under it to charge more.

I've looked into that, and the suggestion that other fees are authorized is absolutely 100% false. 6109 specifically prohibits the charging of additional fees, and 6120 asserts that state law preempts local governments from imposing any additional regulations.

[shooter357]

I'll just respond to this part of your post. The "sheriff fee act" has ONE fee that is a part of the overall $25 in fees, and that's it. There is NOT authorization under it to charge more.

I've looked into that, and the suggestion that other fees are authorized is absolutely 100% false. 6109 specifically prohibits the charging of additional fees, and 6120 asserts that state law preempts local governments from imposing any additional regulations.

It also states a penalty too charge more than is authorized by the state.