Wilson Borough Approves Lost or Stolen

[DonM55]

Well, yeah, justice isn't cheap that's for sure.

Actually I'd report a stolen gun because the police report would make it easier to collect from my insurance company.

[wa3ra]

Somebody somewhere needs to be charged under one of these statutes to fight it.

It is unconscionable that the VICTIM of a crime can be made into a criminal themselves simply by being an unwilling victim of a crime.

Carbondale passed a no cell-phones while driving law several years back; they did not even leave an exception for their own police, who essentially live on their cell-phones. Wilkes-Barre passed the same type of law last month, but the state is telling them that it is unenforceable; only the state can pass that legislation. Actually, since a cell phone is a radio transmitter and receiver, someone could probably push the issue to the federal level; the Communications Act of 1934 preempts states and local governments from passing laws controlling their use. Ask New Jersey and Michigan what happened to their 'no mobile scanner' laws.

[USMCRich82]

http://www.wfmz.com/news/23532269/detail.html

Borough OKs Stolen Gun Ordinance
Jackie Shutack | Reporter

Posted: 4:41 pm EDT May 12, 2010Updated: 5:33 pm EDT May 12, 2010
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WILSON, Pa. -- A local borough is taking aim at gun violence.

Officials in Wilson, Northampton County have passed an ordinance requiring residents to report lost or stolen guns within 72 hours.

A similar statewide effort was slapped down by the Pennsylvania legislature, so local officials said there's a lot of frustration at the their level.

As a result, several municipalities across the state are passing these ordinances to send a message to Harrisburg.

If you're a gun owner in Wilson and your gun is missing, you now have to let the authorities know as soon as possible.

The Borough Council unanimously passed an ordinance mandating a fine and/or jail time if you don't report your stolen or lost gun to police within 72 hours of discovery.

Borough officials said it's all in the name of preventing straw purchasers from doing business.

Straw purchasers are those who legally buy guns, transfer them to felons who can't buy guns, and later report the missing firearm to police.

"I really don't foresee us ever using it," said Chief Steven Parkasky, Wilson Police Department. "However, if we do need it, it's in place."

Parkansky said straw purchases aren't a huge issue in Wilson.

So, why enact this ordinance?

"Straw purchases can be anywhere," said Len Feinberg, Wilson Borough Council president. "It's not just Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. It's the Lehigh Valley in general."

Municipal leaders from across the state are joining forces with the group CeaseFirePA.

Allentown passed a similar ordinance.

Proponents said illegal gun violence isn't just a big city issue.

"So they figure if enough municipalities pass it, hopefully the state will get on board with it," said Feinberg.

We tried to contact the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association. It didn't get back to us.

This is similar to the debate surrounding a ban on cell phone use while driving.

Many municipalities are fed up waiting for the state to take action, so they enact their own local ordinance, hoping the state will eventually do the same.

[Devrbd]

We tried to contact the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association. It didn't get back to us.

Really? So they came to this website, clicked 'contact' and filled out the inquiry form and no one responded. I find that very hard to believe.

This whole Lost or Stolen movement is filled with liars and law breakers.

[USMCRich82]

Really? So they came to this website, clicked 'contact' and filled out the inquiry form and no one responded. I find that very hard to believe.

This whole Lost or Stolen movement is filled with liars and law breakers.

I think that was WFMZ talking, and not the council or whatever. I'm sure they didn't give much response time that even is stated on the Contact Page.

[YosemiteSam]

That is a typical media ploy. They contact the side the reporter does not agree with 5 minutes before the publishing deadline. Then report there was no response.

[IronSight]

We tried to contact the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association. It didn't get back to us.

Hey media people, if you want to contact a real organization of firearm's owners go contact Firearms Owners Against Crime.

PAFOA is NOT a representative based organization, it's an online discussion forum!!!!!!

[Broncitis]

http://www.wfmz.com/news/23532269/detail.html

Could someone here who is more well versed than I in the details of all the fail-filled comments left in response to the article in the link above please post a comment with supporting statutes/links, etc. in the articles comment section!

There are several "gun experts" posting on there that these lost and stolen laws are good and common sense and are infereing they are only objetionalble to criminals and not law abiding gun owners who should welcome them! Ughhhhh!

The guy in post #8 seems quite happy about the illegal PSP "registry" which he does not even seem to know is A). Illegal, and B). Denied to even exist as he claims it is properly used for.

Ughhhhhhh x 2!

I really think when these Fudd types speak out it hurts more than when a raging lunitic anti does! At least many see the lunitic anti for what they are!

[IronSight]

Could someone here who is more well versed than I in the details of all the fail-filled comments left in response to the article in the link above please post a comment with supporting statutes/links, etc. in the articles comment section!

There are several "gun experts" posting on there that these lost and stolen laws are good and common sense and are infereing they are only objetionalble to criminals and not law abiding gun owners who should welcome them! Ughhhhh!

The guy in post #8 seems quite happy about the illegal PSP "registry" which he does not even seem to know is A). Illegal, and B). Denied to even exist as he claims it is properly used for.

Ughhhhhhh x 2!

I really think when these Fudd types speak out it hurts more than when a raging lunitic anti does! At least many see the lunitic anti for what they are!

This is what I posted in the comments there;

No responsible public official should be in favor of such a law, for several reasons. The first reason is the clear illegality of such an ordinance. Despite the arguments from some it is a clear regulation upon the lawful owner of a firearm; ownership of a firearm does not end when it is stolen, to suggest otherwise is to suggest that your son or daughter owns your car whenever they are driving it. Such regulations are clearly illegal given state preemption.

However, if one looks not just at the illegality of such an ordinance, but also the ineffectiveness of it, a reasonable person will determine that such a law is also useless and misguided. These laws have resulted in zero, I repeat that, zero crimes being prevented.

This is because such laws simply do nothing to stop criminals. When a gun is stolen from a residence, the criminal that steals it, and the criminal that buys that gun from him/her, doesn't care if the homeowner reports it stolen or not. The gun is on the black market, and it's not going to make a difference whatsoever if the local PD know it was stolen or not. These guns cannot be tracked by satellite or tracked by bloodhounds. No, when they are stolen and sold it is up to the criminals as to when that gun re-appears in public and whether it does so in the commission of a crime.

It is common sense that a gun owner will report a firearm missing or stolen. This is in no way a justification for such a law, however, as the government should not be in the business of regulating common sense. This is especially true given that anyone who is determined to sell to a straw-purchaser, and wants to cover it up, will stage a break-in and report the firearm missing. This law enables such criminals to argue in court that they were fully in compliance with the law, when in fact they purposely abused it as cover for a crime.

If the poster "Tom McMahon" is truly who he says he his then he should be ashamed. Opposition to these unjust and useless, I repeat that, useless laws is not just from the NRA. No, it is opposed by regular and ordinary firearms owners who understand that their rights should not be infringed upon by useless and illegal legislation, that such "feel good" laws serve no purpose and are not tools of crime fighting or crime prevention, and who understand that time is better served solving the real problem.

That real problem, my fellow Pennsylvanians, is the lack of enforcement of Pennsylvania's current gun laws. Straw-purchasers and straw-buyers cut plea deals time and time again, and are given slaps on the wrist for their crimes. These people should be getting years behind bars, but instead of enforcing the laws, and punishing the criminals, our elected officials cry again and again for more useless laws and more ridiculous regulations. I say enough is enough, we will not give one inch until you enforce the current laws and punish the criminals. The conviction rates for violent crimes in this state, especially in Philadelphia, are appalling. That must change before new laws are added, and even those laws must be better than this useless and absurd law we discuss today.

Enforce the laws, punish the real criminals, and leave the law-abiding gun owners alone. Do that and you will be respected as leaders, do that and you will be looked upon as patriots. However, if all you do is ignore the failure to enforce our current laws, refuse to tackle the real issues, and all you do is play political games with feel good legislation; then we will not respect you as leaders, we will not see you as patriots. No, we will see you as nothing more than the liars and cowards you really are.