Pittsburgh’s mayor, Bill Peduto, has been pushing for increased gun control in his city since the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in October. While Pennsylvania has a preemption law preventing local jurisdictions from enacting gun control laws that are more restrictive than state laws, the city council and Peduto decided to pick a fight in hopes that the state supreme court would invalidate preemption.
Today, Peduto signed new gun control legislation into law (an “assault weapons” ban, red flag law and armor-piercing ammo ban). A group of four Pittsburgh residents backed by the National Rifle Association immediately filed a lawsuit to block the new restrictions.
Here’s the AP’s report . . .
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh’s mayor has signed gun-control legislation passed by City Council in response to the synagogue massacre.
Opponents immediately filed suit Tuesday to block it.
Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto signed the legislation into law in a ceremony at the City-County Building. He says the community has come together “to say enough is enough.”
Pennsylvania law prohibits local regulation of guns and ammunition, and a coalition of gun-rights groups filed a lawsuit minutes after Peduto signed the bills.
The legislation restricts military-style assault weapons like the AR-15 rifle that authorities say was used in the rampage at Tree of Life Synagogue that killed 11 and wounded seven. It also bans most uses of armor-piercing ammunition and high-capacity magazines, and allows the temporary seizure of guns from people who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others.