SC

SC Lawmakers To Challenge City Weapons Ban

CITY OF COLUMBIA: SHREDDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO “PROTECT THE FIRST” || By FITSNEWS || Multiple South Carolina lawmakers are having discussions with City of Columbia, S.C. officials over the constitutionality and legality of a recently enacted emergency weapons ban around the S.C. State House. As we reported this week, Columbia…

CITY OF COLUMBIA: SHREDDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO “PROTECT THE FIRST”

|| By FITSNEWS || Multiple South Carolina lawmakers are having discussions with City of Columbia, S.C. officials over the constitutionality and legality of a recently enacted emergency weapons ban around the S.C. State House.

As we reported this week, Columbia city council passed an “emergency ordinance” banning firearms and other unspecified “dangerous weapons” within 250 feet of the grounds of the S.C. State House, which is where the Confederate flag controversy has been raging.

The ban went in place Thursday and is set to expire in thirty days.

Beyond the obvious Second Amendment issues, the city’s ban also directly defies a state regulation – S.C. Code of Laws (§ 23-31-510) – which prohibits municipalities from imposing such bans.

Then there’s the efficacy of such heavy-handed tactics.

As we noted (sarcastically) …

Obviously this ban will be tremendously successful because gang members and angry rednecks are thinking rationally right now and are naturally inclined to obey gun laws in the first place.

LOlz.

Sources close to city government tell FITS the weapons ban is “designed to protect people’s freedom to assemble and freedom to speak.”  They also say the city hired a “constitutional expert” to help it draft the ordinance.

Really?

So according to this expert, to uphold the First Amendment we can shred the Second? 

Sheesh …

The lawmakers we spoke with say they are confident the city’s ban will be overturned – and that any charges brought in connection with its enforcement will be tossed out by state courts.

***

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56 comments

Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:01 am

I believe that the ban is not only illegal but unconstitutional as well. It will only lead to one of tow things. Either law abiding citizens will violate the regulation and risk arrest or they will comply with the regulation and risk being an unarmed victim when the criminal elements start shooting.

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societydecay July 10, 2015 at 9:11 am

Yes, the ban is wrong on every front. Wonder if the Columbia city council could declare Martial law? That might work.

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:14 am

The Columbia City Council and T-Bone Benji = The flagship of the SC Democratic Party.

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TroubleBaby July 10, 2015 at 9:04 am

They’ll spend days debating a 30 day law while completely ignoring the ongoing malfeasance and incompetence within the SCDOT.

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:35 am

How can the City of Columbia Council do anything about the SC Department of Transportation?

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TroubleBaby July 10, 2015 at 9:48 am

They can’t, but I’m referring to the “SC lawmakers”:

“Multiple South Carolina lawmakers are having discussions with City of Columbia, S.C. officials over the constitutionality and legality of a recently enacted emergency weapons ban around the S.C. State House.”

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:57 am

They should be adjourning today or already adjourned since the budget and flag issues have been resolved.

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TroubleBaby July 10, 2015 at 10:08 am

Well, if that happens, put one in my “wrong” column. I still think their time would be more constructively used on things they can control.

Comedy 101 July 10, 2015 at 9:08 am

Rule #1: Never laugh at your own jokes.

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shifty henry July 10, 2015 at 9:59 pm

( oops.! )

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Victorious Secret July 10, 2015 at 9:09 am

Void for vagueness. (facially or as applied)

The law never stood a chance.

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Victorious Secret July 10, 2015 at 9:13 am

“Then there’s the efficacy of such heavy-handed tactics.”

Since when has the gov’t really cared about operating efficiently? Hysterical….(or as you put it “LOlz”)

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Squishy123 July 10, 2015 at 9:15 am

This is even funnier when you consider the idiots running the city and realized they seriously thought this was a good idea.

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Centrist View July 10, 2015 at 9:16 am

“….the city hired a “constitutional expert” to help it draft the ordinance.”

Retaining the services of an expert is the best way to draft a work around.

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Squishy123 July 10, 2015 at 9:16 am

Obama drafted the ordinance? Word is he’s a constitutional expert.

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CorruptionInColumbia July 10, 2015 at 9:28 am

That was the first thing that crossed my mind when I read they used a “Constitutional expert” in drafting this unenforceable monument to the eternal stupidity of Columbia City Council.

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Back to Back SCOTUS Champion July 10, 2015 at 9:31 am

Word is SCOTUS begs to differ!

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The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 9:21 am

Good googily moogily, the whole point to this type of “legal” action is to make it possible for the CPD to arrest and remove potential trouble makers just for “standing around while packing”. It isn’t legal, council knows it. However, by the time the case is dismissed, the “emergency situation” will be over and more than likely you can remand the would be “kluxer or panther” over for unpaid child support, failure to appear or unpaid traffic tickets…

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:33 am

And would you like to be the CWP holder that was illegally arrested and jailed at Alvin S. Glenn because of this? Or the CWP holder that followed the regulation as was defenseless when his wife was killed by a guy that didn’t follow the law?

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The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 10:35 am

Not suggesting that it is legal, ethical, moral or right, just explaining what they are trying to do.

Frankly given the two groups planning to come in next week, neither of whom are South Carolina based, there will be a need to put some “extraordinary” measures in place. Increased visible police presence should be enough but when you get into the extreme fringes, sometimes “extreme measures” aren’t enough – balancing civil liberty with protection of civilians and property is always fraught with the potential to go to far in one direction or the other.

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 10:42 am

You are talking about two groups that have never shown the propensity to obey the law. Why deny law abiding citizens the right and ability to defend themselves if they get caught in the crossfire?

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The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 11:05 am

Well, as unconstitutional as this is, can you imagine a law that says “… inbred white people espousing a belief in white supremacy…or wearing a white dunce cap and bed sheets or Barney sheets carrying a burning cross…shall not be allowed to carry firearms within 200 yards of the state house…” or even better. “…violent African Americans wearing Kent’s cloth patterned shirts or black nylon bomber jackets and Timberlands…espousing black power and separatism…while holding their pants up…shall not be allowed…”?

Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 11:08 am

The point is that people who have a lawful right to carry a gun should be allowed to. Many of the people that you describe do not have that legal right. The only people that will obey this regulation are the people that had no intention to become violent. They will become the innocent victims.

The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 11:29 am

Absolutely no disagreement, I was talking about council’s motivation, I’m pretty sure I even used the term unconstitutional when describing council’s actions.

Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 3:12 am

Right. Hitler put some “extraordinary measures” in place, and look how that turned out. Especially the part about civilian disarmament.

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Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 3:10 am

Especially since the DHS branded every military veteran as a “potential terrorist”. Yup, this “law” will do a lot of good.

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Barbarossa July 10, 2015 at 9:21 am

Bahahaha…. so funny. SCGOP, this move is so blatantly obvious… I mean did you pay the Columbia City Council to do this for you? Do you really think that you are going to get your lost constituents back by this move?! “Yay, we’re the SCGOP and we’re pro-gun Southerners!!!” Well f@ck you… you’re really just a bunch a lying, cowardly,spineless dicks.

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Speak D Truth July 10, 2015 at 9:29 am

So you think that the Columbia City Council can be bought off?

How many drinks did they give Benji to get him to go along with it? Or was it a trip to a gentlemen’s club? Maybe a trip to a crack house with a former chief of police?

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Jackie Chiles July 10, 2015 at 9:41 am

Has the City of Columbia also introduced a murder/assault ban surrounding the statehouse?

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shifty henry July 10, 2015 at 9:47 am

Question: The politicians all want to be in the spotlight on national/international news — are they banned from carrying?

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jimlewisgowb July 10, 2015 at 10:51 am

Have noticed that the Right Honorable Steve Benjamin Mayor of the City of Columbia the Capital of South Carolina ain’t been in one photo, one sound bite or press conference since all of this started

Too bad – was hoping when the Gypsy Queen climbed aboard the VPOTUS train to take her to Washington the fat bastard Cockroach would leave with the Queen Cockroach

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erneba July 10, 2015 at 11:04 am

He has been away for a refresher course on “Basic Automobile Driving ” course, he still has not received his certificate.

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The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 11:05 am

He was on last night but there was very little glory for him to bask in. Expect to see him seeking the lime light if the kluxers or BPP folks get out of hand.

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erneba July 10, 2015 at 11:02 am

Are you referring to their guns or their brains?

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Yup July 10, 2015 at 10:39 am

You know, if you feel so threatened 24/7 that you feel you must carry a gun everywhere, you might want to reevaluate how you’re living.

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CorruptionInColumbia July 10, 2015 at 11:00 am

Why? Bad things (and people) happen to good people every day. In fact, I believe such an unfortunate occurrence is what triggered this whole flag hysteria that brought on this unenforceable ordinance, courtesy of Columbia’s Mayor and City Council. I don’t feel threatened 24-7. Rarely at all do I feel threatened, but knowing how threats come on rather suddenly and with little warning, as with the church in Charleston, the bit of extra effort involved in carrying is well worth the trouble, should I ever really need it.

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Jackie Chiles July 10, 2015 at 11:08 am

(he typed to Obama’s secret service)

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Victorious Secret July 10, 2015 at 11:20 am

Did you see it flying by? Jackie’s point, that is…as it clearly went over you.

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Mike at the Beach July 10, 2015 at 11:42 am

Tired old logic, that. If you’re tired of the US Constitution, go give Russia a try. Putin is very reasonable man, and will no doubt care very deeply about your beliefs. If you can’t get a visa there, try Eritrea. I spent a few weeks there, and they have very progressive gun laws.

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Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 3:04 am

Hey, dipstick, DO YOU READ/WATCH THE NEWS? I HAVE evaluated how I am living, and working, and traveling, and that’s why I carry. If you want to be prey, go right ahead. I have grandkids to play with. And YES, they are/will be taught the safe, responsible, and effective way(s) to handle firearms as they grow.

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Asstounded July 10, 2015 at 9:45 am

I bet the “Constitutional expert” is the same whore lawyer who argued before the Supreme Court that T-Bone can spend Water and Sewer Utility Fees on anything he wants. Wonder how much she was paid for that Opinion?!? FOIA anyone?

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Fecal Matters July 10, 2015 at 9:59 am

Water parks and skating rinks!

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The Colonel July 10, 2015 at 10:35 am

Next entry in the Jennie Horne Meme contest: http://s5.postimg.org/xljpl1vc7/george.jpg

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swampland July 10, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Although the new ordinance clearly is in violation of State Law regarding the authority of local governments to regulate weapons, it is not in violation of the Constitution.

There is no Constitutional right to have weapons at all times and in all places. Weapons are prohibited at airports,the White House, the Supreme Court, Williams-Brice stadium, and the public schools.

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CorruptionInColumbia July 10, 2015 at 2:45 pm

… in direct violation of The Constitution.

These are all infringements of the right to keep and bear arms.

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JayJay July 10, 2015 at 3:56 pm

No SC law prohibiting or allowing anyone to carrying long guns in the street of Columbia so yes they will get by enforcing their code but SC law prohibits Columbia from enforcing their passing their code prohibiting CPW carry.

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JayJay July 10, 2015 at 4:04 pm

I think Columbia’s emergency ordinance shows stupidity among those that passed it in that AK, AR and M type weapons are quit deadly at a range of 250 feet.

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sparklecity July 11, 2015 at 4:53 pm

Worked for gun carrying Tombstone, Arizona during the “Wild West” days of the Eyrp brothers
Why the fuck not now?

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Accuracyplease July 12, 2015 at 8:54 pm

Angry rednecks are gangs. It’s called the Klan, and SC has 19 documented such gangs. Probably more that are disorganized…cuz rednecks are known to be stupid.

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Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 3:09 am

Yep, and the Klan was founded by…….wait for it……..wait for it…..DEMOCRATS!!!

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Accuracyplease July 13, 2015 at 5:12 am

You are correct. But then, the Democrats realized they weren’t being good Americans and changed. Which is how Southerners became such terrible losers. Rarely, can they change…and so remain, still fighting the Civil War. Or, put another way, Losers-PLUS!

Meanwhile, the country moved on without them. Yea!

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Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 11:50 am

Actually, the demonrats changed because they were becoming more and more socialist, and realized that if they could convince a significant portion of the populace that “government” would cater to their every need, they’d have a solid voting base forever. Remember what LBJ said after he convinced the House demonrat leadership to drop their filibuster of the Voting Rights and Civil Rights acts: “we pass these, we’ll have these ni66ers voting democrat for 100 years”.

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Accuracyplease July 13, 2015 at 3:30 pm

You’re adorable. By all means, Keep your delusions. They’re really priceless.
P.S. There really is a bogeyman around every corner!

Tec Sg Beatty July 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm

You seem to be the one that is delusional, but since it is your natural state and the only one that you’ve ever known, I can understand why reality is such a foreign concept to you.

Accuracyplease July 13, 2015 at 4:09 pm

Since you can’t be original and can only repeat my comments, am done cupcake. Will leave your to your insipid blatherings. Twaddle on!

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