York, PA. Residents attend York City Council meeting carrying guns

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Residents attend York meeting carrying guns

By EMILY OPILO Daily Record/Sunday News

York, PA - At least half a dozen York and York County residents carried guns to York City Council Tuesday in a show of support for the right to bring weapons to municipal meetings. Councilwoman Toni Smith has advocated for a gun ban at the council's meetings, which have been regularly attended by at least one city resident openly carrying a firearm. Smith was told by city solicitor Don Hoyt at a meeting last month that the state prohibits such a ban, and she has not formally proposed any such measure. At Tuesday's meeting, gun owners sat scattered across council chambers, some with holstered weapons and others with ammunition strapped to their belts. Some of the owners stepped forward to cite passages from state law and the U.S. Constitution in support of the right to bear firearms. Andy Edmonds, a North Codorus Township resident and co-founder of the Hanover Tea Party Patriots, said passing a gun ban in spite of the law would knowingly impede the right of residents to lawfully carry a gun. That is a misdemeanor and treason, he said. "My fear was that then if the law restricts it, it would have to go to the state level," he said. " If it affects the state level it would have to go to more than just York City, it affects Hanover, it affects Jefferson, everywhere." City resident Steve Young, who regularly attends meetings with a gun, also addressed council.

"As much as I'm being singled out and called out for doing nothing wrong,

I want to say that I am just doing my job," he said. "The attacks on the members of the public need to stop." Most council meetings are attended by one York City Police officer. At least two officers were present during Tuesday's meeting. Smith addressed the group before the meeting closed, thanking them for their attendance. "We might disagree on some things, but I would like to invite you to come back," she said. "I met some of you individually, and you were very nice people. I hope you think the same thing about me." IN OTHER NEWS: - Council agreed to guarantee a $1.5 million loan to the York City Sewer Authority from Commonwealth Finance Authority to install a new microturbine system that would recycle methane gas to make electricity. - Council also approved a proposal submitted by Police Executive Research Forum to study the feasibility of a metro York police department. - York Mayor Kim Bracey debuted a new city-wide initiative, Take 10 on Tuesday, encouraging business owners to take 10 minutes every Tuesday to clean up litter in front of residences and businesses. Read more at www.inyork.com

 

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