Posted on 04/12/2013 11:05:36 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WALKERSVILLE — A gun rights group is taking aim at the town to try to force a change in its firearm restrictions.
The Second Amendment Foundation, based in Bellevue, Wash., formally demanded that Walkersville repeal a ban on shooting and carrying loaded guns within town limits.
"It has come to my attention that the town of Walkersville purports to regulate firearms, which violates of state law," Alan M. Gottlieb, foundation president, said in a March 26 letter.
The town charter bans shooting "a rifle, air rifle or air gun of any kind ... a bow and arrow, slingshot, shotgun, gun or any firearm" within town limits.
It also forbids carrying loaded guns in town.
Those provisions have exceptions, however.
Law enforcement, gun and archery clubs, and people teaching gun safety courses are allowed to carry guns. People with a Maryland handgun permit are also exempted from the ban.
People can carry guns at gun ranges and on agriculturally zoned land in Walkersville.
The letter warned that failure to change the town code could result in a lawsuit.
The commissioners voted unanimously to not change the town code at a town meeting Wednesday night.
"Let them sue us," Burgess Ralph Whitmore said.
Town Administrator Gloria Long Rollins said she believed the exemptions to the ban in the latter section of the charter made it compliant with federal law.
"Apparently they didn't read on," she said.
Commissioner Russell Winch disagreed with how the foundation approached the town.
"This kind of thing angers me," Winch said, "If somebody is going to come here and start telling us that we need to make some changes or they're going to sue us, they should show up here."
The Second Amendment Foundation could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
This is the first time anyone had challenged that section of the town charter, Whitmore said.
Walkersville resident Dan Thomas, who said he does not use guns, approved of the town's decision to ignore the letter.
"I think the town is handling it fine," he said.
I wish these towns would have such balls standing up to the ACLU on public displays of religion.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Why would they do that?
They agree with the ACLU on religion.
Wow - a whole town as a gun-free zone...a half-Rambo could wipe the whole place out...
I don’t really get it. The charter - which may be centuries old - makes mucho exemptions and is otherwise subject to state law. Shouldn’t they attack MD law first and then see how it is? It’s almost moot.
The exceptions almost make that premise moot. After all, it’s assumed anyone legal in MD is going to have a permit.
I’m in MD (against my will, but the best job I could find is here), and their laws mean nothing to me. I have made my decision, and will refuse to obey any unconstitutional laws. They can legislate all they want, their authority is gone. Government at all levels has reached the point where we as sovereign people must refuse to obey the overreaching usurpations of authority over our natural rights.
Walkersville, really? I guess this state is thoroughly lost now. Walkersville isn’t even in some liberal suburban enclave bordering DC... it’s semi rural Frederick county.
Like Hitler commanding imaginary armies at the end, these legislators are passing laws for imaginary citizens who actually obey their commands from on high.
We are not ruled by our public servants, as they will soon learn.
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