Local Gun Control Legislation Might Get Vote Next Week

As predicted by PhillyClout in this space yesterday, a package of gun control bills proposed by City Councilman Darrell Clarke were held back from a vote this morning.  Three of the bills were amended with language clarifying when judges issuing protection from abuse orders should order guns confiscated and returned, citing penalties for owners not reporting lost or stolen guns and a adding a provision that would allow Philadelphia Police to approve in writing purchases of more than one gun a month.  [See yesterday's post below for a full list of the proposed legislation.]

Clarke later said he hopes all of the bills will come up for a vote on final passage at next Thursday's Council session.  With Mayor Nutter promising to sign and enforce the laws, Clarke wants to add the legislation to a pending lawsuit he filed in the state Commonwealth Court. Clarke sued the state General Assembly, which has said it has the exclusive right by law to regulate guns in Pennsylvania. Ultimately, Clarke wants to take the fight -- either through his lawsuit or a challenge to the local laws -- to the state Supreme Court to provoke a re-hearing of the 1996 ruling that affirmed the General Assembly's control over gun regulation.