Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Series Of Gun Bills

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - 1:34pm
(Photo courtesy of the Arizona State Legislature)
Rep Steve Smith is a bill sponsor.

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.