Council moves on changes to weapons law
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, July 15, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Councilman Aaron Rochester voted against first-round approval toughening up the transport of weapons in vehicles and requiring people to obtain permits in order to target practice in their yards.
Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen Dave Ferris and Jim Rixner voted for the changes to the firearms and weapons ordinances. Councilman Brent Hoffman was out of town. The council will need to take two more votes on both proposals.
Rochester noted he owns weapons and has target practiced with his sons using BB guns or air rifles in their back yard. He said a number of Sioux Cityans have done so, not knowing they were violating city law.
Police Capt. Mel Williams handed councilmen newly purchased BB guns, air rifles and a children's gun that looked like the real thing. They were in their plastic wrapping.
"This looks like Christmas at our house," Rochester quipped as he handed the weapons to Hobart. Rixner said, "We don't give guns at our house."
Connie Anstey, assistant city attorney, said the changes do not ban the right to own a firearm or discharge a gun in defense of one's self or others. However, it puts restrictions on the discharge of guns, including BB guns and air rifles, which can cause property damage or personal injury.
The law exempts weapons that are defined by their manufacturers as toys for use by children under the age of 10. Those children's toys fire foam, Nerf or ping pong balls.
She said the law carries a number of exemptions, including firing weapons during a military ceremony or burial, at established indoor or outdoor firing ranges, using bows and arrows under supervision during programs at schools and ranges and for those who have obtained permits from the police department.
Williams said no fee would be charged to obtain the one-year permit. The police department would review an applicant's request for a permit, which would contain where and when a weapon would be fired, the type of weapon to be used and who would be shooting.
Williams noted that some air weapons, including potato guns, could shoot projectiles 100 to 400 yards or more, prompting Rixner to say, "I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Hobart asked, "Does the police department have the manpower to enforce this?" Police Chief Joe Frisbe answered, "We've already been enforcing it."
The transport-of-weapons ordinance covers every kind of gun or rifle, including air rifles or guns, paintball guns, CO2 rifles, slingshots and bows and arrows. To transport weapons, people must place the unloaded weapon in the trunk of the vehicle, carry it inside a locked box inside the car or break the weapon apart.
Changing the law will give police officers more clout to crack down on vandals, the council was told.
"We may not catch a person in the act of shooting out car windows, but if we catch someone at 3 a.m. with a loaded BB gun in the front seat, you kind of figure they're up to no good," Anstey said.
Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen Dave Ferris and Jim Rixner voted for the changes to the firearms and weapons ordinances. Councilman Brent Hoffman was out of town. The council will need to take two more votes on both proposals.
Rochester noted he owns weapons and has target practiced with his sons using BB guns or air rifles in their back yard. He said a number of Sioux Cityans have done so, not knowing they were violating city law.
Police Capt. Mel Williams handed councilmen newly purchased BB guns, air rifles and a children's gun that looked like the real thing. They were in their plastic wrapping.
"This looks like Christmas at our house," Rochester quipped as he handed the weapons to Hobart. Rixner said, "We don't give guns at our house."
Connie Anstey, assistant city attorney, said the changes do not ban the right to own a firearm or discharge a gun in defense of one's self or others. However, it puts restrictions on the discharge of guns, including BB guns and air rifles, which can cause property damage or personal injury.
The law exempts weapons that are defined by their manufacturers as toys for use by children under the age of 10. Those children's toys fire foam, Nerf or ping pong balls.
She said the law carries a number of exemptions, including firing weapons during a military ceremony or burial, at established indoor or outdoor firing ranges, using bows and arrows under supervision during programs at schools and ranges and for those who have obtained permits from the police department.
Williams said no fee would be charged to obtain the one-year permit. The police department would review an applicant's request for a permit, which would contain where and when a weapon would be fired, the type of weapon to be used and who would be shooting.
Williams noted that some air weapons, including potato guns, could shoot projectiles 100 to 400 yards or more, prompting Rixner to say, "I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Hobart asked, "Does the police department have the manpower to enforce this?" Police Chief Joe Frisbe answered, "We've already been enforcing it."
The transport-of-weapons ordinance covers every kind of gun or rifle, including air rifles or guns, paintball guns, CO2 rifles, slingshots and bows and arrows. To transport weapons, people must place the unloaded weapon in the trunk of the vehicle, carry it inside a locked box inside the car or break the weapon apart.
Changing the law will give police officers more clout to crack down on vandals, the council was told.
"We may not catch a person in the act of shooting out car windows, but if we catch someone at 3 a.m. with a loaded BB gun in the front seat, you kind of figure they're up to no good," Anstey said.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 26 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Diogenes wrote on Jul 16, 2008 1:22 PM:
Wendy Weinbaum wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:37 PM:
Lynn B wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:28 AM:
Santee wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:47 AM:
Mayor Hobart,
Molon labe! "
Patriot wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:44 AM: