Second Amendment Foundation Strengthens Utah Gun Ownership through City Ordinances

The pro-gun advocacy group, the Second Amendment Foundation, recently started a political campaign to strengthen gun owner’s rights in various states. The Second Amendment Foundation is doing so by attacking what they view to be illegal gun control legislation enacted at the local level. According to the make-up of our US legal system, state legislation dictates our gun ownership laws. The Second Amendment Foundation is suing cities that hold gun laws which conflict with those of the state that the city is located in. Their Utah campaign appears to be unfurling with some degree of success. The pro-gun group addressed no fewer than 49 local Utah governments in writing, asking them to purge their legislation of several ordinances which violate state laws on gun regulation. Check out how the Second Amendment Foundation Strengthens Utah Gun Ownership through City Ordinances.

How the Utah battle was won

The Second Amendment Foundation pressured West Point into replacing a law banning guns in the city cemetery with one that only outlaws discharging weapons in the graveyard. In Draper, it’s illegal to fire, but not to hold guns in city parks, trails, and amphitheaters. Sandy will drop its own law that makes guns in day-cares and health care centers illegal. Even Salt Lake City plans to review the laws regarding a ban on guns in city parks and non-secure areas of its international airport. The Foundation clearly experienced some success in addressing Utah gun ownership and plans to take the war on city ordinance gun regulations even further.

The Foundation’s executive vice-president, Alan Gottlieb, explains that the organization will continue “going state by state, one state at a time, going through every single ordinance of every city and county in every state finding where the cities and counties have ordinances enacted that are in conflict with state law…and then contacting each one of them to remove the ordinances.” As of the time of this article, the organization maintained 30 ongoing lawsuits around the United States. The Second Amendment Foundation representatives say they’d like to clean up local ordinances without having to settle the issue in court. They usually allow local governments some time to take measures against unlawful ordinances. According to their own statements, the Second Amendment Foundation found Utah legislators to be particularly cooperative to work with. Of course, Utah holds a reputation as one of the union’s most gun-friendly states (as opposed to states such as Maryland, Oregon, or California).

Who is the Second Amendment Foundation

The Second Amendment Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting “a better understanding” on the right to privately own and bear arms. They’re based in Bellevue, Washington. The Second Amendment Foundation carries out nationwide educational programs and legal initiatives in an effort to better inform the public on the gun control debate. They run an Attorney Referral Service, take donations, and remain open to everyone for membership. Alan Gottlieb founded the organization in 1974. A seven member board currently governs the organization. The Second Amendment Foundation runs a publishing office in Buffalo, New York, and publishes The New Gun three times per month (which began back in 1966). It also runs the only magazine on firearms in the world that’s strictly dedicated to women (Women & Guns), as well as monthly and quarterly newsletters.

The organization’s legal track record is long-standing and noteworthy as per their claims. They supported amicus briefs related to the right to own and bear arms for a long time now. They successfully challenged several court cases. These successful challenges include overturning San Francisco’s ban on handguns, the New Haven, CT ban on handgun sales, and several challenges to unfair concealed carry license practices in numerous states including Ohio. The Second Amendment Foundation served an instrumental role in ending the 19 year-run of the L.A.P.D. denial of California CCWs. They also funded lawsuits against the infamous 1994 federal gun ban and California ban.

One of the really great ways to show your support for gun ownership and gun owner rights is to really learn the ins and outs of your own firearms. I can’t think of a better way to do that than to become a certified gun smith. Check out the following local schools that offer certified courses/degrees in gun-smithing:

Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, St. George, Logan