The state Commonwealth Court today struck down the city's attempt to tighten local gun laws, ruling that only the state has the power to enact gun legislation.
Mayor Nutter last year signed five bills controlling guns in the city into law, despite a 1996 state Supreme Court ruling that only the Commonwealth has the power to control firearms. The National Rifle Association then challenged the move.
Today the Commonwealth Court upheld a Common Pleas decision to strike down two of the five laws, one that restricts gun purchases to one a month and bars people from acting as "straw purchasers" and the other which bans the purchase of semi-automatic weapons that hold clips with more than ten rounds.
Both sides expect that this case will eventually land in the state Supreme Court.
Follow William on Twitter
Newsletter 
Comment policy:
Philly.com comments are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic. If you see an objectionable post, please report it to us using the "Report Abuse" option.
Please note that comments are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable. Personal attacks, especially on other participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.
Additionally comments that are long, have multiple paragraph breaks, include code, or include hyperlinks may not be posted.