Reading Mayor bans self-defense.....

**sjohn26** · November 27th, 2007, 10:32 PM

That will be the outcome given his new rant here: (from the WFMZ site - may be in the Eagle tomorrow:

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=184005

"Monday night, Reading's mayor proposed tougher penalties for firing shots in the city limits.
>> MAYOR: We pretty much adopted what was done in Lancaster.
The current ordinance carries a fine of up to a thousand dollars, with no prison time unless the money goes unpaid. Mayor McMahon wants to see an automatic charge of $500 and a mandatory prison sentence for each round discharged.
>> MAYOR: Each shot is 90 days.
And those sentences would have to be served consecutively... so firing four shots could land you in jail for a year."

In his world--a lawful discharge will be fined and jailed???!!

Letter to the Editor time.............again

**dragonofpa** · November 28th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by sjohn26

That will be the outcome given his new rant here: (from the WFMZ site - may be in the Eagle tomorrow:

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=184005

"Monday night, Reading's mayor proposed tougher penalties for firing shots in the city limits.
>> MAYOR: We pretty much adopted what was done in Lancaster.
The current ordinance carries a fine of up to a thousand dollars, with no prison time unless the money goes unpaid. Mayor McMahon wants to see an automatic charge of $500 and a mandatory prison sentence for each round discharged.
>> MAYOR: Each shot is 90 days.
And those sentences would have to be served consecutively... so firing four shots could land you in jail for a year."

In his world--a lawful discharge will be fined and jailed???!!

Letter to the Editor time.............again

Pretty sure this violates the PA UFA.

**XD45** · November 28th, 2007, 11:34 AM

seems to me they are putting stiffer sentences for those that shoot within the city limits, it says nothing about self defense shootings. I've never been to reading so I cant give my opinion on if they need a discharge law or not, but it seems its already there so this is kinda a non issue as I don't get the impression this is geared towards a self defense shoot at all(maybe i missed that part of the story?)...

**sjohn26** · November 28th, 2007, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by XD45

seems to me they are putting stiffer sentences for those that shoot within the city limits, it says nothing about self defense shootings...

That is my concern - it states nothing to EXCLUDE self-defense!

**XD45** · November 28th, 2007, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by sjohn26

That is my concern - it states nothing to EXCLUDE self-defense!

Seems they aren't adding laws, or changing any so if thats the case then its already inplace but i'd doubt it. They want to change the penalty to preexisting laws as far as I can tell, not sure that I agree with that harsh of a penalty but I don't think its meant to be for self defense shootings either.

xdtinfoilhatday45

**LittleRedToyota** · November 28th, 2007, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by dragonofpa

Pretty sure this violates the PA UFA.

actually, it does not violate the PA UFA.

the UFA does not prohibit local laws regarding the *discharge* of firearms. it only probibits local laws regarding the "lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation" of firearms.

i'm not defending the reading oridnance...municipalities that do regulate the discharge of firearms obviously should provide exceptions for self-defense...but it does not violate the UFA.

**CZ40P** · November 28th, 2007, 05:28 PM

So hizoner's plan to stop the gang and drug related violence, is to arrested and jail those folks who shoot at garbage cans and stop signs. I suppose he will also arrest those souls who shoot back at the hoodlums in self defense.

Brilliant!

**str8shooter** · November 28th, 2007, 05:42 PM

Obviously there needs to be some rewording to protect the innocent, but I think one of the reasons this law keeps getting revisted is because of the morons who go out on Halloween Night or New Years Eve and fire off a clip into the air. The thought that what goes up must come down never enters their pea-sized brains.