Posted by Spirit of West Virginia on 7/28/2006, 9:53 pm
64.12.116.201
On Tuesday the House voted to prevent law enforcement officers from confiscating legally owned guns during a national disaster or emergency. During Hurricane Katrina the cops took every gun they saw and left the residents unable to defend themselves in the aftermath of the storm. Many residents found themselves sitting in their homes without power, without water, without communications and without police protection. We all know what happened in New Orleans and I sure as hell would have wanted my guns close by. The House voted 322-99 in support of the bill. Senators voted 84-16 earlier this month to include similar prohibition in a homeland security funding bill.
The limitation would apply to federal law enforcement or military officers, along with local police that receive federal funds.
Of course the national rifle association supported the bill and has been asking police chiefs and mayors to pledge not to disarm law-abiding citizens.
The bill will not inhibit police to enforce gun laws, nor does it allow guns to be brought into shelters. The bill allows the Coast Guard to require that people surrender their weapons before boarding a rescue vehicle
The police could face a personal lawsuit for confiscating legally owned weapons under this bill.
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