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Lincoln's New Bill to change city code on storage

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GreggL:

I was able to speak with Roy Christensen today. The hearing will be on the 21st of October beginning at 3:00 pm
he encouraged me to get as many people to speak out about the ordinance as possible. So, invite all your friends
and colleagues, let's make a good showing.

I would encourage the council to amend the ordinance to the effect that secured means out of sight and locked in the vehicle.
Additional storage containers etc. is to complicated to comply with.

ILoveCats:
Are they currently just talking about handguns or is the vehicle storage for long arms too?

I honestly have very little sympathy for someone who leaves a handgun unsecured in a vehicle, not even going so far as using the chintzy glove box lock. But long arms are another story.  If you’re at a skeet competition at Lincoln Trap and Skeet, and walk into the clubhouse while the Citori is locked in the pickup, that’s a crime?

Jito463:
Personally speaking, I don't keep my firearm in my vehicle unless I'm forced by law to leave it behind.  Even then, I have a fixed lock box in my vehicle that would pretty much require stealing the whole vehicle to get into (or a very large crowbar).  Not only that, but I always lock my vehicle, even if there's nothing valuable in it.

That said, I'm opposed to any ordinance which makes victims into criminals.  What if someone stole a knife from my home and later stabbed someone with it; would I be made into a criminal for not reporting the theft to the police?  This is a stupid change which only serves to make the politicians feel good, so they can get adoration from their supporters for "doing something".


--- Quote from: GreggL on October 01, 2019, 04:41:22 PM ---I was able to speak with Roy Christensen today. The hearing will be on the 21st of October beginning at 3:00 pm
--- End quote ---
Unfortunately, I have to work that day.  If they held the hearing later, I'd be able to make it.  Maybe I can convince my boss to let me switch my days off, but I doubt it.


--- Quote from: GreggL on October 01, 2019, 04:41:22 PM ---I would encourage the council to amend the ordinance to the effect that secured means out of sight and locked in the vehicle.
Additional storage containers etc. is to complicated to comply with.
--- End quote ---
That would be better, though I'm still opposed to criminalizing the victim.

GreggL:

I don't leave firearms unattended in my vehicle under normal circumstances either, but I see this as a testing of the waters for further infringements around the safe storage theme. If they don't get push back on this they will be emboldened to press on with their agenda.
If you are unable to make it to the hearing on the 21st please encourage others to attend and write the city council with your objections.

https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/council/contact.htm  will take you to a page you can email your concerns.

Here is the email I sent. Feel free to borrow parts or use it to kick start ideas for letting them know you object.

I am writing this in regards to the ordinance amending Section 9.36.110 of the Lincoln Municipal Code relating to Firearms in Unattended Motor Vehicle proposed by councilman Christensen. The council member is to be commended on recognizing a serious issue for the safety of Lincoln's residents. Teenage thieves are an ongoing problem. My neighborhood typically experiences a rash of auto break ins every spring and fall. Teenage criminals with stolen weapons is certainly a danger to our fine city.

I must however take issue with the proposed ordinance changes. ARTICLE I Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska in part states:

the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of
self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting,
recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be
denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof.

This ordinance places the burden to reduce teen theft on the victims of the crime rather than on the criminals, as such I see this as an infringement of the Constitutional rights of Lincoln residents. Nowhere in this ordinance does it address the root of the problem, teenage thieves, nor does it seek to punish said thieves but instead punishes the victims of the crime.

Additionally there are inherent problems with the storage requirements.  A person without a State of Nebraska concealed carry permit who secures a firearm in the glove box of their vehicle while operating it  is in violation of State law in that they are concealing the weapon and could be charged with committing a felony offense.
I drive a pickup truck, currently when transporting a long gun I put it in a soft case behind the seat of my truck. I don't believe there is a lockable storage container that would meet the requirements of this ordinance that would fit behind the seat of my truck. I would be in violation of this ordinance if transporting a long gun in the manner I currently do simply by exiting the truck and entering a store for a short amount of time.

Again Councilman Christensen is to be commended for recognizing a serious problem in our city and the desire to "do something" however I would like to see the solution directed at the criminals rather than potentially making criminals of law abiding citizens. I would be curious to know if any of the teens who where apprehended with stolen firearms were sentenced to 6 months in jail or fined more than $500? Could you look into that and get back to me?

I would like to suggest that rather than making criminals of currently law abiding citizens and visitors to our community, the city council focus on stopping or more severely punishing the actual criminals. Also, education and outreach to inform firearms owners to encourage  safe storage habits would be a better solution than punishing them for being victims of crime.

Sincerely,

Army11C10:
Thank you GreggL.I see this also as a test of waters.Emily Killham,on the Mayor's task force stated"This is good but this is just the First step".With a Democratic mayor and five Democrat councilmen,it is apparent that we all need to unite,If they could do it they would confiscate all firearms.

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