Gun Rights Advance (Slightly) in Arizona
The House there approved a new — and unusual — bill:
State representatives voted Tuesday to put additional restrictions on government agencies that don’t want people carrying guns into their buildings.
The legislation, given preliminary approval on a 27-17 vote, would expand existing laws requiring public buildings to provide for weapons storage if they don’t want people bringing in guns. SB 1251 would require key-operated lockers near the door, not in another building far away, with the gun owner getting to hold the key.
But the bill also contains an entirely new provision, saying if a building lacks the required lockers, or if all the lockers were full, the gun owner would be free to keep his or her weapon.
I like it! Look, I think anyone should be allowed to carry anywhere and public buildings shouldn’t be off limits but this at least says you no longer have to leave your firearm at home (where it’s useless) or locked in the car where it’s unavailable and might be stolen. The scope and philosophy of the sponsor is:
. . .That would include not just events sponsored by a public agency, like a state or county fair. It also includes anything done by a private group that has obtained a government permit, like the Tempe Block Party.
Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said the legislation is designed to balance the rights of people who are legally allowed to carry guns with those of public agencies that don’t want customers to be armed. He said it is only fair for those agencies to provide secure and convenient storage.
“We’re saying if we’re going to take away your constitutional or your statutory liberty, then, dad-gum it, let’s give you a place to lock it up so you can come and get it when you leave because you’re trying to comply with the law,” he said.
This brings up a security issue. Some criminal could, when given the key, make a copy of it and after retrieving his own gun, come back another day to steal someone else’s.
Still, the thing I like best about it is it will discourage public agencies from banning weapons in the first place. I hope. A lot of places would have to buy and install the lockers.
By the way, does this include the Arizona State House?
11 Responses to “Gun Rights Advance (Slightly) in Arizona”
on 30 May 2007 at 9:27 am # azlibertarian
azcentral.comazstarnet.comazcentral.comI hate to be a downer, but I cannot help but believe that Gov. Napolitano will be pulling out her Veto Pen.
See…
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special12/articles/0531napolitano-vetoes31-ON.html
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/183486
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special12/articles/0426guns-veto26.html
on 30 May 2007 at 9:28 am # azlibertarian
Wow. Sorry about that semi-URL at the beginning. Dunno what happened there.
on 30 May 2007 at 9:34 am # LGF Froggy
I’ve wondered if, when the government or private entity bans your guns, are they liable for any act of another from which you are now unable to protect yourself?
Froggy
on 30 May 2007 at 10:59 am # pittspilot
Now if they would only get rid of the idiotic liquor rule which forbids a person from CCW’ing in an establishment that serves alcohol.
Bars I understand, but this rule means that almost all restuarants are out as well as any other place that serves alcohol (The Zoo, Stadiums, State Fairs etc.)
on 30 May 2007 at 12:51 pm # Robert
“This brings up a security issue. Some criminal could, when given the key, make a copy of it and after retrieving his own gun, come back another day to steal someone else’s.”
Don’t use a hard key. Use an electronic one plus a one time use PIN code.
on 30 May 2007 at 1:03 pm # ScottG
Aww, wouldn’t it be a shame if all the gun lockers were always out of order? Oh, look! Gum…. Guess they’ll just have to keep their weapons on their persons.
on 30 May 2007 at 1:13 pm # Peter Rivenburg
This method was used in several other states for bars before the brady days, they had lockers. forget the states but was just discussing this with a guy a few days ago.
I moved to AZ in 1981, in my county it was legal to check your firearms with the bartender back then.
on 30 May 2007 at 1:18 pm # bristlecone
In Texas, you’re only forbidden to carry a CCW in an extablishment that gets over 50% of its revenue from alcohol sales. Such establishments are required to post a placard near the door with the number 51% in large, red numbers for everyone to see.
So you could take your gun to a restaurant, stadium, etc.
on 30 May 2007 at 2:23 pm # Belasarius
I lived in Naples, Italy for awhile and used the branch bank by the race track. Since bank robbery once was popular there the bank has an air lock to get in and the inner door won’t open until the outer one closes, a weapons locker in the airlock is manned by an armed guard for customers to check their handguns.
I never sorted out who could, or who could not, legally carry but it was apparent to me that the facility was there for the customers. I dont think there would have been any way to leave with the key, “make a copy”, and return for somebodie elses gun.
on 30 May 2007 at 2:28 pm # Dewage
What happens if a public building controls access based on the number of lockers? For example, you show up at a Police station, or a courthouse and they say, “Sorry, can’t let you in. all the gun lockers are full. Take a number.”
on 30 May 2007 at 6:33 pm # Bane
Have retired cops man a storage room, like hat-check girls, and pay them to check guns in and out.