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Proposed City Ordinance Would Let Cops Disarm Citizens During Crises if They Become ‘Unruly’

Feb. 26, 2013 4:17pm Erica Ritz

Guntersville City Proposal Gives Cops Right to Disarm Citizens During Crises, Emergencies

(Photo: WAAY-TV)

A proposed city ordinance in Guntersville, Alabama would allow police officers to disarm citizens during times of crisis if they deem it necessary.

Part of a larger disaster response bill, Mayor Leigh Dollar is standing by the proposal and seemingly tried to downplay it to WAAY-TV.

“By no means is it our intent to disarm, or seize anyone’s firearms,” she assured with a smile and a southern drawl. “This is in there to protect public workers and any volunteers helping should someone become unruly, which can happen because emotions are high…”

“It’s only to protect people,” she added.

The bill will be evaluated at the next Guntersville City Council meeting on March 4, but Mayor Dollar notes that such laws are already on the books in other cities.

In particular, she says she wants to emulate Tuscaloosa. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans cops performed similar acts, in one case reportedly tackling, punching, and confiscating the firearm of a woman who said she wanted to stay at home with her dogs.

(Photo: WAAY-TV)

The Lakeside Post describes the exact phrasing of the Guntersville proposal: “As provided by Alabama State Code, any law enforcement officers acting in official duties may disarm and individual if deemed necessary. The officer must return the firearm to the individual before leaving or [arresting] the individual.”

In 2006 then-President George W. Bush supported measures to strengthen the rights of gun owners during times of emergency, but the bill died in the Senate. As such, it seems the issue still remains in the hands of local officials.

Though Mayor Dollar’s proposal isn’t the first of its kind, a number of Guntersville residents are still concerned by the somewhat loose description of what a person has to be doing to get their weapon confiscated (“unruly”), noting that cops already have authority over people exhibiting actual violence.

“It seems like an infringement on the 2nd Amendment, and that’s the biggest problem I have with it,” local music teacher Paul Landry said.

Keith Sullivan, another local resident, added: “The law’s already there. Somebody’s brandishing a weapon, you can arrest them right there.”

–

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (283)

no1hd
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:04pm
Bet it don’t pass and if it does there will be an ad on craigslist ‘Alabama town for Sale – Take up notes’

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pahrumper
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:00pm
Ever notice that a good deal of the time when stupid laws like this are proposed the word, “SHE” or “girllie boys” are used?

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harryset
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:55pm
Someone respond to this question:

Wasn’t there an Executive Order making the confiscation of guns, a la Katrina, illegal??

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- randy1bella2
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:58pm
  Not an EO, but a law.
  
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Tex Expatriate
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:42pm
So is Mayor Dollar a Democrat Marxist? I bet money she is!

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vanman4446
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:41pm
Another stupid broad trying to make a logical decision from her screwed up mind. Must be a dem

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randy1bella2
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:31pm
Any attempt at doing anything along those lines will be unconstitutional. The state laws seem to prohibit what she is planning, though those laws could be interpreted broadly. The state law may per-empt her intent also. Regardless, here is chance for the AL legislature to clarify the law, to save the money of potential litigation.

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- randy1bella2
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 7:01pm
  I posted the law on a previous comment, but it has been censored by Ms. Ritz or something. She is incorrect in saying that Bush failed to pass the protection. Please all read the Stafford act on fir3arms or 42 USC § 5207 – Fir3arms policies
  
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JohnG in PC
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:27pm
As someone who was borne and bred in Alabama and raised to be a strong conservative, I can only assume that this mayor is either a 1st or second generation progressive liberal Yankee transplant or that her mother had relations with one while on a field trip to the North!! The citizens of Guntersville need to make their voices heard.

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MittensKittens
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:27pm
I’m glad I am keeping my “unrulyness” in my own home…come and git it!

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sandrunner
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:22pm
And We the People have the right to disarm a tyrannical state or government.

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- Timberline
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:25pm
  while I agree, try it (or even talk about it!) and you’ll be labelled a terrorist and put in jail … or killed
  
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KentuckyVet
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:22pm
Bring it and see what you get!

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Sharon Rose
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:21pm
They just keep chipping away, rotten lib commies.

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Clownzilla
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:20pm
Taking away the guns at a time when we would need the guns the most……..brilliant!

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randy1bella2
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:20pm
Ms. Ritz,

Unless I misunderstood what you say, “In 2006 then-President George W. Bush supported measures to strengthen the rights of gun owners during times of emergency, but the bill died in the Senate,” I believe this statement is not correct. The protection was actually passed and was made law as an amendment to the Stafford Act (2007)–see 42 USC § 5207 – Firearms policies.
Thanks!

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shogun459
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:18pm
When Chaos Erupts, by all means lets make sure lawabiding citizens are disarmed and defensless.

The One of the First things Hitler did was Gun Control.

When only the Government and Criminals have guns, ONLY the Criminals in Government will be in CONTROL.

All HAIL der State!

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RobertHere
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:17pm
“It’s only to protect people,” she added.” That rather sound like It’s for Your Own Good or Work Will Set You Free/Arbeit macht frei . There are times I am stunned by the power persons such as Mayor Leigh Dollar are willing to give law enforcement people without any judicial review. I am sure Mayor Leigh Dollar considers herself a good person. Adolf Eichman and various Einsatzgruppen shooters thought they were good persons and did things “for the common good” and of course “only to protect people”. Mayor Leigh Dollar, Adolf Eichman and the Einsatzgruppen shooters were all wrong. Mayor Leigh Dollar needs to recall “Power Corrupts”.

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applehill
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:13pm
Just some liberal hick town mayor trying to make a name for herself. Guntersville is a little town. A tornado ripped the town apart a few years ago. No mention of shootouts and riots in the aftermath of the storm. A lot of broken hearted families. Alabama already passed a state law that keeps local and federal government from removing firearms from peoples homes during and after a crises. Surely the mayor would know this. Like I said, just trying to make a name for herself. There are a lot of gun owners in Guntersville. I doubt she’ll get reelected because of this.

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Mountaineer12
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:12pm
It’s always in the name of safety, if we can save just one life it’s worth giving up a little freedom for a little security.

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Timberline
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:12pm
I know Guntersville … this will go over like a fart in church there.

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EPROM
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:05pm
“We are not trying to infringe on anyone’s constitutional rights.”

We ALL know that whenever these words are spoken …..your Constitutional rights are definitely in clear and present danger! If they weren’t, in danger, …then their law would have been worded as so.

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- RobertHere
  Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:29pm
  But….But….they promised……ole Joe Biden too.Would ole Joe lie (again)?
  
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mattmo79
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:05pm
The only way to protect people is to let them protect themselves.

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Glock29
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:03pm
Remember New Orleans gun grabbers after Katrina?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd8q_rvcAP4&playnext=1&list=PLA5E97AA75B92B4E1&feature=results_main

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ENIGMA28724
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:02pm
What happened to “shall not be infringed” in Alabama? I thought we Southerners were immune to this sort of idiotic rules.

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malbro
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 6:01pm
Rebellion if they keep f…king with the 2nd amendment……She really gets under my skin..Liberal Bitch……….

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common cents
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 5:59pm
I hope they have plenty of blue body bags and a big file of applicants to replace the fallen.

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BenFrank1791
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 5:59pm
All this leads to is weapons cashing.

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