Molon Labe!
Posted on 03/30/2004 8:56:23 AM PST by neverdem
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
STORES COULD SELL WEAPONS ALONGSIDE ANY OTHER BUSINESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FRANKFORT - Local zoning restrictions on federally licensed gun dealers and manufacturers would be lifted, and they could operate alongside any other business, under a bill the General Assembly passed yesterday.
Gun importers would also be safe from zoning restrictions, under the bill.
The state Capitol was a busy place yesterday as the General Assembly considered what legislation it would pass on the final day scheduled for lawmakers to pass bills this session. Remaining days left for the legislature are scheduled to deal with any gubernatorial vetoes.
Besides protesters who packed the Capitol halls demanding passage of a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, lobbyists and those advocating for other issues added to the crowded atmosphere.
The bill that would remove zoning restrictions for gun shops passed the House on a 77-17 vote, then hours later gained final passage in the Senate on a 34-4 vote.
Rep. J.R. Gray, D-Benton, told House lawmakers the National Rifle Association supported the bill.
Gun dealers should be treated the same as other businesses, including those that sell sporting equipment, and not face zoning restrictions, Gray said. Worries that removing such zoning restrictions could eventually ease regulations on adult-only shops were "a little bit ludicrous," Gray said.
But opponents also argued the bill would allow gun shops to open up anywhere, even next to schools and possibly in residential areas. Rep. Jack Coleman, D-Burgin, said the bill could hurt people who have invested in areas zoned for certain uses. They now face the possibility of having their surrounding landscape change because of it, Coleman said.
"This is a very bad bill," he told his colleagues.
House lawmakers defeated a proposal to allow Louisville to determine its own zoning regulations for gun shops and another that would have prohibited gun shops from opening next to schools, day care centers, hospitals and mental health facilities.
In other action
• Security records: A bill exempting certain homeland security records and parts of closed public meetings from the state's sunshine laws passed the House on a 91-1 vote. It heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
• AIDS tracking: The House passed a bill that would require doctors and health care agencies to track AIDS patients by name instead of an identifying code. It would be a misdemeanor for someone to disclose the name of a person who has tested positive for AIDS.
• Dog euthanasia: The House passed a bill that among other things would make it illegal to euthanize a dog by gunshot. The bill heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
• Background checks: The House passed a bill that would require criminal background checks on people hired at state nursing homes. It now heads to the governor.
• Abuse treatment: Another bill winning final passage would allow people abusing drug or alcohol to be involuntarily hospitalized for treatment. Relatives or friends who are willing to pay for the care could petition the courts for treatment of a substance abuser.
© 2004 Lexington Herald-Leader and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kentucky.com
Rep. Coleman is a fool IMO. He and his ilk can't stand not controlling whatever business they decide needs restrictions.
Actually the restrictions were for the most part a non-problem other than in Louisville and Lexington, both of which have had anti-gun elected officials over the years. For that reason alone I appreciate this bill sticking in their craw.
Yeah, so?
Crotchety old geezers, smoking and trading war stories...
intimidating gun neophytes - "What the he** you buying that PLASTIC GUN for?"....."Anything smaller than 45 will just make them angry.."
...using dirty words like "Mauser" and "1911".
What's the world coming to?
Yep, nuthin' like the ol' one-way huntin' trip for man's best friend.
IIRC, there were a few bills that struck me as more appropriately originating in the country's hard core lefty cities. I imagine taking a one hour trip in order to euthanize your dog will mean many animals will linger in misery much longer. I had to take my best friend's dog to the ASPCA for euthanasia, but I'm in NYC. You can't imagine what living with these idiots is like.
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