New Britain Township Preemption Violation

[bac0nfat]

I sent an email to New Britain Township the other day about the "No Firearms" signs all over Peace Valley Park. They responded by saying Peace Valley Park is owned by Bucks County, and forwarded my email to them. So then I decided to look into the New Britain Township Code of Ordinaces, and found this:

§16-209. Firearms, Hunting, Fireworks.

1. Other than an officer of the law, no person shall carry or discharge a firearm, rifle or other weapon within the park system.

So then I sent this email:

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is *********. I sent an email yesterday regarding signs in Peace Valley Park that say "No Carrying of Firearms" which are in violation of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act (UFA). I was told that Peace Valley Park is owned by Bucks County; and so my email was forwarded to them.

However, I decided to look a little deeper into the issue. I checked the New Britian Township Code of Ordinances and found that there is also a UFA violation for New Britain Parks. §16-209 of the New Britain Code states:

"1. Other than an officer of the law, no person shall carry or discharge a firearm, rifle

or other weapon within the park system."

This is a violation of Title 18, Chapter 61, subchapter A (otherwise known as The Uniform Firearms Act) specifically subsection 6120 which states:

"General rule: No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this commonwealth.”

You may notice that the above ordinace does not say anything about discharging firearms. It is perfectly reasonable for a park regulation to prohibit discharging of firearms; but to simply outlaw the carrying of firearms completely is infringing upon the Pennsylvania Constitution, the United States Constitution, and our individual liberties. I am asking that the Board of Supervisors look into this matter as soon as possible. Thank you for your time, and feel free to contact me via email or my cell phone, at **********.

Sincerely,

***********

[Curmudgeon]

Well done. Now you're waiting to hear back from both of them. Let us know what you find out.

[glockmaster]

Good job, keep us posted. I've cc'd in peace valley multiple times, but never saw these signs.

[andrewjs18]

it honestly is great to see people willing to step up and fight these issues.

I'm working on 2 myself.

keep up the good work, folks..we'll slowly educate the sheep.

[B2Luv2Hunt]

Nice Job. Keep it up.

[bac0nfat]

Got an answer! I got a call today from a guy from New Britain Township. He said that peace valley park is owned by bucks county. I said "I know, if you read further into the email you will see that there is also an ordinance in new Britain that I am referring to." He said "oh I didn't see that part, well I'm aware that that ordinance is not enforceable, and no one has ever been arrested for carrying here." I asked if the ordinance could be removed and he said he will "pass on the massage." Then I got all the info about when and where board meetings are held, and how to get on the agenda. There is actually a meeting tonight but I can't make it, and I think I want to get on the agenda before I show up to one.

[Yentl Marmelstein]

What was "the guy's" title?

[bac0nfat]

What was "the guy's" title?

He just said he was "with new Britain township" and I screwed up and didn't write down his name. I'm at work and needed to keep the call very brief.

[Cole]

I asked if the ordinance could be removed and he said he will "pass on the massage."

Did you respond with "Massage? Whoa there, fella! Nobody's offering you a rubdown. Just get the ordinance removed."?

[Devrbd]

Going to Peace Valley Park this afternoon. I'm guessing nothing happened with the signs yet, but will look.