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http://www.columbustelegram.com/articles/2007/02/08/news/news2gunlaw.txt#blogcomments
Moser shoots down gun law
By Adrian Sanchez/[email protected]
COLUMBUS - Mayor Mike Moser vetoed the ordinance that would have allowed Nebraska Concealed Carry permit holders to carry concealed handguns in Columbus.
In a letter distributed to the City Council Wednesday, Moser said “after careful consideration” he decided to veto Ordinance No. 07-01. The ordinance would have added “persons having a valid State of Nebraska Concealed Carry Permit” to those legally permitted to carry concealed handguns under the “Concealed Weapons” section of city code.
The mayor said he does not see the need for such a measure given the “relatively low crime rate and rare occurrence of violent crime in Columbus.
“About 75 percent of Columbus citizens who have talked to me disagree with the proposed change, and I concur with the opinion of Police Chief (William) Gumm that there is no evidence for allowing those who feel the need to carry a weapon to do so in this fashion,” Moser said in his letter. “If a citizen wishes to do so, a firearm can easily be carried openly for everyone to see or by relying on the Affirmative Defense Statute.”
Gumm spoke against the ordinance before the council.
Moser said if concealed carry is approved in Columbus, he thinks there is a higher chance an innocent person may accidentally or unintentionally be harmed than a violent criminal.
“It is my duty to do everything I can as mayor to help ensure that accidents, though obviously unintended, do not cause harm to our citizens or our families,” he said. “One could argue that accidents occur everyday and cannot be prevented, but adding a firearm to the list of those possible accidents is not one I am willing to condone given the severe and sometimes deadly results.”
Gumm had no comment this morning regarding Moser's action.
Although it has been argued only responsible, qualified adults may be issued a permit, Moser said even the most upstanding citizen can face difficult times, such as the case with Lisa Nowak, a NASA astronaut who now faces attempted first-degree murder and attempted kidnapping charges.
“Even responsible adults can have a day where things go badly - witness the events this week involving one of our nation's astronauts,” Moser said. “Could there be anyone better trained, better screened emotionally and psychologically than an astronaut? Yet look at what occurred. Imagine the difference had an actual firearm, not a BB pistol, been involved.”
Councilman Charlie Bahr, who voted for the ordinance that was approved by the council in a 5-3 vote Monday, said he anticipated the mayor would veto the ordinance. At least six votes are required to override the mayor's veto.
“Part of the problem is any time someone talks about firearms it is difficult for opponents to look at any evidence presented objectively,” Bahr said. Some of the city's “top staff were vocal opponents (of the ordinance). I am disappointed but not surprised.”
Bahr, who argued the ordinance would enhance uniformity regarding the state law, said no objections would have been raised if firearms were not in the equation. He encouraged proponents of the Nebraska Concealed Carry law to contact their state representatives and support LB 695, which would bar local governments from passing ordinances on the ownership possession and transportation of firearms that conflict with state law. The bill would nullify existing ordinances.
Bahr said he did not think any of the three councilman who voted against the ordinance would change their minds.
“If anybody is still interested in seeing it changed get a hold of your state senator,” Bahr said, because “as adamant as the three nays were, I don't think we can convince anyone to change their vote.”
The mayor acknowledges this action only prohibits concealed carry in Columbus temporarily if the Nebraska Legislature advances and approves LB695.
Moser said he would like to see the state allow Columbus to retain the local option.
“A fair number of people who talked to me or e-mailed me were outside of Columbus, statewide residents,” Moser said. “I am in favor of local control wherever it is possible. Local jurisdictions should have some say where laws are and in some areas state should have uniformity. I would like to see Columbus regulate concealed carry in the City of Columbus.”
“Of course this issue may be moot if the Unicameral advances and approves LB 695,” he said, but “while Columbus and other cities still have local control, I choose to exercise that control for the protection and safety of our citizens.”
Moser shoots down gun law
By Adrian Sanchez/[email protected]
COLUMBUS - Mayor Mike Moser vetoed the ordinance that would have allowed Nebraska Concealed Carry permit holders to carry concealed handguns in Columbus.
In a letter distributed to the City Council Wednesday, Moser said “after careful consideration” he decided to veto Ordinance No. 07-01. The ordinance would have added “persons having a valid State of Nebraska Concealed Carry Permit” to those legally permitted to carry concealed handguns under the “Concealed Weapons” section of city code.
The mayor said he does not see the need for such a measure given the “relatively low crime rate and rare occurrence of violent crime in Columbus.
“About 75 percent of Columbus citizens who have talked to me disagree with the proposed change, and I concur with the opinion of Police Chief (William) Gumm that there is no evidence for allowing those who feel the need to carry a weapon to do so in this fashion,” Moser said in his letter. “If a citizen wishes to do so, a firearm can easily be carried openly for everyone to see or by relying on the Affirmative Defense Statute.”
Gumm spoke against the ordinance before the council.
Moser said if concealed carry is approved in Columbus, he thinks there is a higher chance an innocent person may accidentally or unintentionally be harmed than a violent criminal.
“It is my duty to do everything I can as mayor to help ensure that accidents, though obviously unintended, do not cause harm to our citizens or our families,” he said. “One could argue that accidents occur everyday and cannot be prevented, but adding a firearm to the list of those possible accidents is not one I am willing to condone given the severe and sometimes deadly results.”
Gumm had no comment this morning regarding Moser's action.
Although it has been argued only responsible, qualified adults may be issued a permit, Moser said even the most upstanding citizen can face difficult times, such as the case with Lisa Nowak, a NASA astronaut who now faces attempted first-degree murder and attempted kidnapping charges.
“Even responsible adults can have a day where things go badly - witness the events this week involving one of our nation's astronauts,” Moser said. “Could there be anyone better trained, better screened emotionally and psychologically than an astronaut? Yet look at what occurred. Imagine the difference had an actual firearm, not a BB pistol, been involved.”
Councilman Charlie Bahr, who voted for the ordinance that was approved by the council in a 5-3 vote Monday, said he anticipated the mayor would veto the ordinance. At least six votes are required to override the mayor's veto.
“Part of the problem is any time someone talks about firearms it is difficult for opponents to look at any evidence presented objectively,” Bahr said. Some of the city's “top staff were vocal opponents (of the ordinance). I am disappointed but not surprised.”
Bahr, who argued the ordinance would enhance uniformity regarding the state law, said no objections would have been raised if firearms were not in the equation. He encouraged proponents of the Nebraska Concealed Carry law to contact their state representatives and support LB 695, which would bar local governments from passing ordinances on the ownership possession and transportation of firearms that conflict with state law. The bill would nullify existing ordinances.
Bahr said he did not think any of the three councilman who voted against the ordinance would change their minds.
“If anybody is still interested in seeing it changed get a hold of your state senator,” Bahr said, because “as adamant as the three nays were, I don't think we can convince anyone to change their vote.”
The mayor acknowledges this action only prohibits concealed carry in Columbus temporarily if the Nebraska Legislature advances and approves LB695.
Moser said he would like to see the state allow Columbus to retain the local option.
“A fair number of people who talked to me or e-mailed me were outside of Columbus, statewide residents,” Moser said. “I am in favor of local control wherever it is possible. Local jurisdictions should have some say where laws are and in some areas state should have uniformity. I would like to see Columbus regulate concealed carry in the City of Columbus.”
“Of course this issue may be moot if the Unicameral advances and approves LB 695,” he said, but “while Columbus and other cities still have local control, I choose to exercise that control for the protection and safety of our citizens.”
