Petersburg Virginia bans guns from ALL public spaces

[LittleLebowski]

Even sidewalks. The Democrat Party is fast shedding itself of any pretenses of being “blue dog”.

https://wtop.com/virginia/2021/09/pe...public-spaces/

A Virginia city is banning firearms from public spaces.

The Progress-Index reports that the Petersburg City Council unanimously passed a measure Tuesday barring people from carrying firearms in any place open to the public.

The ban includes city buildings, public parks, city-owned recreation or community centers and any public street, road, alley or sidewalk.

On-duty law enforcement officers and armed security personnel acting on a contract with the city are exempt.

Councilor Charlie Cuthbert introduced the idea in July shortly after community activist Willie Noise III was fatally shot at the city-owned Patton Park.

[JRB]

This is why state pre-emption is a damn good thing.

I've spent a good bit of time in Petersburg because of its proximity to Ft Lee. The place already had its rough edges, and I'm saddened that the good folks there just trying to make a living are now so much more vulnerable to being victimized.

[RoyGBiv]

Councilor Charlie Cuthbert introduced the idea in July shortly after community activist Willie Noise III was fatally shot at the city-owned Patton Park.

I'm sure that Mr Noise was shot by an otherwise law abiding citizen who will immediately comply with this new law. /sarc

ETA: Not
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/willie-noise-obit

The driver, later identified as 52-year-old Jimmy Merhout, of Chesterfield, left but returned a short time later.

“He took a long rifle and put it on the hood of the truck," McRae said. "Willie said, 'as long as you don't point that gun at me, we ain’t got no problem.' Jimmy took the gun and pointed it at Willie, Willie shot, Jimmy shot back."

Both men were struck.

Merhout suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Noise died.

[okie john]

When you turn a blind eye to sanctuary cities, people feel like they can ignore aspects of the Constitution that they don't like.

Shoulda nipped that trend in the bud decades ago....


Okie John

[BehindBlueI's]

Does Virginia not have state pre-emption?

[RoyGBiv]

Does Virginia not have state pre-emption?

Not since 2020

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Virginia

Virginia has state preemption for most but not all firearm laws. As of July 1, 2020, local governments have expanded power to ban firearms in certain sensitive areas, such as government buildings and public events.[6]

I guess sidewalks are now sensitive areas.
Certain to be litigated. Likely on hold until SCOTUS hears NYSRPA case.

[Stephanie B]

How much of this is pushback against the open-carry asswipes?

[P30]

This is why state pre-emption is a damn good thing.

So in the USA, you have the 2nd Amendment.
But if your city politicians say, "You are not allowed to bear arms!", then in public spaces you are not allowed.
But if your state law says, "City politicians, you can't take the 2nd Amendment away!", then they can't.

Is that correct?

[DC_P]

This thread, appropriately, fell just below Tom Givens post about the town in TN when I clicked the 'new posts' button.

[BehindBlueI's]

So in the USA, you have the 2nd Amendment.
But if your city politicians say: You can't bear arms, then in public spaces you can't.
But if your state law says: City politicians, you can't take the 2nd Amendment away! Then they can't.

Is that correct?

You have to add in the court system has to agree with the restrictions as well, but it's mostly correct. States can vary pretty wildly on this. In my state, just as they can in if they require a permit to carry (or even own), how onerous the requirements to get said permit are, etc.