Firearm Preemption Laws
Gun control supporters demand that state legislatures impose a wide variety of gun control restrictions within their borders. However, they hypocritically cry foul when legislatures use their power to limit gun control. Frustrated at their inability to convince state legislatures to adopt the restrictive firearm laws they propose, gun control supporters say that local jurisdictions should be able to adopt those restrictions independently.
Aside from gun control supporters’ hypocrisy, there are multiple arguments against local restrictions on basic firearm rights. Historically, some local jurisdictions have imposed clearly unconstitutional restrictions on gun ownership—the District of Columbia’s and Chicago’s since-overturned handgun bans being two recent examples. It also creates confusion when laws vary widely within a state, potentially placing otherwise law-abiding citizens at risk of violating an ordinance of which they were not previously aware, as they travel within their states, and more so when they travel outside their state of residence.
As a result, almost all states today have a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from imposing gun control restrictions that are more severe than state law.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Montana’s attorney general will issue a legal opinion on a Missoula ordinance requiring background checks for private gun ...
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
State lawmakers on Monday moved closer to an election season showdown with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over a ...
Thursday, October 13, 2016
A southern Arizona lawmaker wants Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to determine if Tucson is breaking state law ...
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Despite a contentious election, Gov. Steve Bullock and Republican challenger Greg Gianforte do agree on at least one ...
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
The proposed ordinance requiring background checks for private transfers of guns is now law, after Missoula City Council ...
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
The Pennsylvania House once again is considering a bill that would allow gun enthusiasts and organizations such as ...
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Palm Springs City Council will take a final vote on a controversial firearms ordinance Wednesday, finalizing an ...
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Under the new ordinance, people will be required to report lost or stolen firearms to police within 48 ...
Monday, September 12, 2016
The New Orleans City Council granted unanimous approval to an ordinance that would punish residents who lose a ...
Thursday, September 8, 2016
The Roanoke City Council may ask the General Assembly to add Roanoke to a list of Virginia localities ...