A proposal to regulate the shooting of guns in York City will be discussed at the city council’s Wednesday night committee meeting, according to an agenda on the city’s website.
Prepared by the city’s administration and police department, the proposed ordinance seeks to further define what is and is not lawful use of firearms within York’s 5.2 square miles. The proposal also includes a section on switchblade knives and another on firearm use during the state of an emergency.
York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow said the ordinance is necessary to continue driving down gun violence numbers and discourage people who consider carelessly or recklessly discharging firearms in the community.
“I think this community has spoken loud and clear, they are tired of gun violence, reckless gunfire and careless behavior with firearms,” Muldrow said.
York City Mayor Michael Helfrich said he found it ridiculous that York does not have an ordinance that says one cannot discharge a firearm in the city.
Without such a law on the books, a simple disturbing the peace charge is all city officials can do about people firing off rounds for a holiday celebration or testing a gun in their back yard, Helfrich explained.
Violators of the proposed ordinance could be fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned for up to 90 days if they do not pay it, according to the proposed ordinance that lists five exceptions in which use of a firearm is allowed, such as by law enforcement in the line of duty, within a legally permitted firing range and when acting in justifiable self-defense.
“I look forward to discussing this amendment to add increased safety measures for the residents of the city of York, at our upcoming committee meeting,” said Edquina Washington, city council president.
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Helfrich said he does not anticipate Pennsylvania’s preemption law derailing his administration’s legislative effort to regulate firearms in the third-class city. “Other cities in Pennsylvania have no-discharge ordinances,” he said.
The state’s preemption law bans municipalities from passing gun-control measures that are stricter than state gun laws. A challenge to the preemption law is before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
As written, the proposal has a section stating that the ordinance shall not be enforced to regulate or infringe upon the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of guns as permitted by the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the country and state.
The proposal also clarifies that a firearm shall not include versions of guns such as air pistols, spring guns, and B-B guns.
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