The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a series of gun bills supporters say are needed to protect 2nd Amendment rights. One bill would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons in government buildings; another would penalize cities for enacting gun laws that are tougher than the state’s laws. Pam Simon, one of those wounded along with then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the Tucson shooting massacre, opposes the bill.
“I feel that this is an issue of local control,” Simon said. “I feel that it is certainly within a city’s rights to request that background checks be held on guns purchased. It makes this a safer community.”
Rep. Steve Smith of Maricopa, the bill’s sponsor, said state law already preempts cities from going beyond state law. He said the measure, which would fine cities $5,000 for enacting tougher gun laws, just puts teeth in the state law.