Campbell lawmaker says gun prohibition takes away rights

STAFF REPORT

CAMPBELL — City council passed legislation that will stop gun stores from locating within the city limits.

The emergency legislation, passed at council’s regular Wednesday meeting, prohibits the sale or manufacture of deadly weapons in the city.

It comes two months after a Hubbard man tried to get a zone change for property he owns on Robinson Road so he could open a gun-repair shop there. Police opposed the zone change, and council denied the request in December.

The wording of the legislation, which generally prohibits gun sales and doesn’t specify gun stores, prompted council member Juanita Rich to vote against it.

“As a card-carrying member of the NRA, does that take away my rights?” she asked city law director Mark Kolmacic.

“It does,” he replied.

Patrol Officer John Gulu, who is secretary-treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 42, told council the union thanks it for passing the legislation.

He said that as a gun owner, he would not mind leaving the city limits to sell one.

Rich said after the meeting she does not want a gun store to locate in the city.

She said that as a private citizen, however, she should be allowed to sell her gun in her home.

“If it were worded differently, I would have supported it,” she said.