Alphecca: Idaho Town Wants Residents Armed

September 20, 2006

Idaho Town Wants Residents Armed

In a story similar to those of a town in GA and in ME, the town of Greenleaf, Idaho is proposing an ordinance that would request -- not require -- all head-of-households to own a firearm. From the Idaho Press-Tribune:

Nearly every home in Greenleaf would be asked to keep and maintain a firearm under a proposed ordinance being considered by the City Council.

Ordinance 208, sponsored by Councilman Steven Jett, is known as the “Civil Emergencies Ordinance.”

In addition to a recommendation that certain heads of households own guns, it authorizes planning for a city emergency operations center, authorizes development of an emergency operations plan, authorizes the promotion and support of citizen emergency response teams and neighborhood watch groups, and authorizes promotion of firearms safety and training for residents.

Jett said the primary purpose of the ordinance was to support county emergency operations planning, but realized the firearms provision would be what would “make the headlines.”

Greenleaf Mayor Bradley Holton said he supports the spirit of the ordinance, and pointed out that the proposal is not a mandate because it encourages gun ownership, but does not require it — as a similar law has done in the town of Kennesaw, Ga. since the early 1980s.

Reading the whole article because it seems the council, the mayor, the local law enforcement agency, and even the county sheriff appear to approve the measure. That means it will surely pass. Naturally anyone not eligible by law is exempt as is anyone who for conscientious reasons doesn't want to own a firearm. Here's the actual ordinance:

“In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, it is recommended that every head of household residing in the city limits maintain a firearm, together with ammunition therefore, and obtain appropriate training relating to proper, safe and lawful handling of firearms.”

I understand the city would provide or at least pay for the training.

I've always thought ideas such as this are good ones. They send a powerful message to the bad guys that the town will not tolerate crime and especially will not protect criminals from their intended victims.

Idaho has adopted "Stand Your Ground" legislation and that, along with this city's proposed ordinance sends a message to its citizens that, yes, we support your right to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Would that every city (and state!) stood behind their residents like that.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at September 20, 2006 08:10 AM

Comments

Ideas such as these are what the Second Amendment was all about...a trained, skilled (the meaning of well regulated) militia of responsible citizens who could provide in an emergency (whether natural disaster, armed military attack or marauding criminal gang) for their own self defense and crime prevention/deterrence regardless of whether the threat was criminal, military, or political...More laws like this please!

Posted by: Doug In Colorado at September 20, 2006 11:08 AM

Another reason for these sorts of local/state measures might be the increasing federalization of the National Guard. See, for example, the story about NC Governor Easley fighting a bill that would allow the feds to take control of the state's Guard in emergencies. I think this, coupled with the Guard now seemingly essentially an U.S. Armed Forces Reserve component, has made states worried that there may come a day when they put out the call for the National Guard...but nobody answers.

Because of this, I feel it's very possible that in the future we'll see states develop some sort of emergency forces or state militia (in the non-nutbar sense) that *cannot* be taken over or sent away by the federal government, but would be purely under state and local control.

Posted by: Cliff S. at September 20, 2006 10:53 PM

(in the non-nutbar sense) Reread your constitution and USC. 10.

Otherwise, Amen.

Posted by: straightarrow at September 21, 2006 01:43 AM

Every Man Should Have Rifle By Henry Lawson

So I sit and write and ponder, while the house is deaf and dumb,
Seeing visions "over yonder" of the war I know must come.
In the corner - not a vision - but a sign for coming days
Stand a box of ammunition and a rifle in green baize.
And in this, the living present, let the word go through the land,
Every tradesman, clerk and peasant should have these two things at hand.

No - no ranting song is needed, and no meeting, flag or fuss -
In the future, still unheeded, shall the spirit come to us!
Without feathers, drum or riot on the day that is to be,
We shall march down, very quiet, to our stations by the sea.
While the bitter parties stifle every voice that warns of war,
Every man should own a rifle and have cartridges in store!

Posted by: 1894C at September 21, 2006 02:12 PM

I am the city councilman that has proposed the ordinance in Greenleaf, Idaho. You would agree that this is not a new idea. The 2nd amendment was ratified in 215 years ago (12/15/1791). I am only supporting it. Thanks for your help and support.

Posted by: Steven Jett at September 21, 2006 02:48 PM

Care to come live in our town and sponsor some another law like that one? We'd love to have ya!

Posted by: Doug In Colorado at September 22, 2006 05:34 PM

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September 20, 2006

Idaho Town Wants Residents Armed

By Golly, you're reading an archived post. Click Here to head to the main page and read current stuff...

Check it out:

My group sci-fi blog novel:

Colony: Alchibah