Today's NWI Times Newpaper needs to be slapped down for this report, while the vote was positive it is unforgivable that the report started out with an uninformed kid and his 'feelings' who then trashed the Constitution. At best its bad writing/reporting. At worst, its intentional bias since most readers only read the first portion of stories and the most important information is contained in the beginning of newspaper stories.
IF you would like to respond to this story, here is a link to write a letter to the editors >> Letters "The Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times"
IF you would like to respond to this story, here is a link to write a letter to the editors >> Letters "The Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times"
LaPorte gun ban voted down
LaPorte gun ban voted down / nwi.com
BY STAN MADDUX
Times Correspondent | Wednesday, March 04, 2009
LAPORTE | Student Andrew Lang told gun supporters their beliefs are out of touch and he would not feel safe with firearms in a city building. His comments drew boos from gun rights activists who packed LaPorte City Hall urging their constitutional right to bear arms be preserved. Lang said it's not the 1770s when the British were coming and, nowadays, there ought to be exceptions. "You guys are bringing up stuff about the Constitution. It's a little bit old and outdated. This is when our country was under attack from a foreign force," said Lang, of LaPorte.
The City Council voted 4-3 against a proposed ban on firearms at City Hall and any other city owned building.
There was nothing outlined in the ordinance providing for metal detectors or security officers.
That left opponents feeling vulnerable, saying law abiding residents would leave their guns at home or in their vehicle before venturing into a city building and would be a sitting duck for anyone who started firing.
"People have a right to protect themselves," said LaPorte resident Randy England.
There also were fears the gun ban would eventually spread into private homes and businesses, giving criminals access to guns on the black market a major leg up.
"If any one of you were in trouble, I would jump in front of you with my gun," said Coolspring Township Trustee Dennis Metheny.
"Many well-intentioned laws don't work," said Bill Johnson, of Crown Point.
Mayor Kathy Chroback said other local units of government all the way up to the state and federal levels ban firearms from their buildings.
Todd Reinert, manager of a gun store in Hudson Lake called Class 3 Sales, invited Chroback to take charge of her personal protection by carrying a gun and be trained to use it. "Come on in. I'll be happy to sell you a firearm and give you all of the range time you want for free," Reinert said.
LaPorte gun ban voted down / nwi.com
BY STAN MADDUX
Times Correspondent | Wednesday, March 04, 2009
LAPORTE | Student Andrew Lang told gun supporters their beliefs are out of touch and he would not feel safe with firearms in a city building. His comments drew boos from gun rights activists who packed LaPorte City Hall urging their constitutional right to bear arms be preserved. Lang said it's not the 1770s when the British were coming and, nowadays, there ought to be exceptions. "You guys are bringing up stuff about the Constitution. It's a little bit old and outdated. This is when our country was under attack from a foreign force," said Lang, of LaPorte.
The City Council voted 4-3 against a proposed ban on firearms at City Hall and any other city owned building.
There was nothing outlined in the ordinance providing for metal detectors or security officers.
That left opponents feeling vulnerable, saying law abiding residents would leave their guns at home or in their vehicle before venturing into a city building and would be a sitting duck for anyone who started firing.
"People have a right to protect themselves," said LaPorte resident Randy England.
There also were fears the gun ban would eventually spread into private homes and businesses, giving criminals access to guns on the black market a major leg up.
"If any one of you were in trouble, I would jump in front of you with my gun," said Coolspring Township Trustee Dennis Metheny.
"Many well-intentioned laws don't work," said Bill Johnson, of Crown Point.
Mayor Kathy Chroback said other local units of government all the way up to the state and federal levels ban firearms from their buildings.
Todd Reinert, manager of a gun store in Hudson Lake called Class 3 Sales, invited Chroback to take charge of her personal protection by carrying a gun and be trained to use it. "Come on in. I'll be happy to sell you a firearm and give you all of the range time you want for free," Reinert said.
