City of Richmond Expands Local Gun Ban

Last night, Richmond City Council passed Mayor Stoney's expansive gun ban in the city.  The Times Dispatch has the story here.  It basically bans firearms at any event, whether it is a permitted event or not, as well as streets around such events: 

The new law, approved Tuesday evening, bans the carrying of guns at any event, whether or not it is formally permitted by the city. The ban would also apply to any public area by an event, including streets, sidewalks, alleys and other public rights of way.

Proposed by Mayor Levar Stoney, the ordinance is intended to lower the risk of violent confrontation between protesters and police, or protesters and counter protesters, as demonstrations against police violence and racial inequality continue across the country.

While some council members expressed concerns about the ordinance, they all voted for it in the end:

During Tuesday’s special council meeting, however, some council members continued to voice reservations about broadening the ban, expressing concern about how police would enforce the law. Several public speakers at the start of the meeting also questioned whether the ban infringes on their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

“I think it’s really weak. The way it’s written is not great,” said Councilwoman Kristen Larson, who raised concerns about enforcement of the ban in areas adjacent to an event.

The City's new police chief said it was necessary based on what happen in Kenosha, WI, last month:

In remarks to the council before Tuesday’s vote, Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith noted recent events in Kenosha, Wis., where a 17-year-old fatally shot two people amid recent protests after video emerged of a police officer shooting a Black man in the back seven times. There also was a fatal shooting during recent protests in Portland, Ore.

“When you increase tensions with firearms, it’s just not a good mix,” Smith said. “Sooner or later, we are going to have different groups with different opinions who square off with each other. I believe this will be something we can use to increase safety in all of Richmond.”

Mayor Stoney is an anti-rights radical.  He is up for re-election this year.  Unfortunately, when it comes to Second Amendment issues, none of his opponents can be counted as friends of gun owners.