A letter recently obtained by the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance shows that Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad is trying to recruit other Idaho mayor’s to support his ‘gun-free’ zone agenda.
The letter asks mayors to fill out a survey detailing what venues might benefit from a ‘gun-free’ zone.
Mayor Rognstad makes it clear that the economic interests of his city are more important than the natural right of self-defense.
He uses the typical “I believe in the 2nd Amendment but…” argument to try and justify his efforts.
ISAA President Greg Pruett slammed the letter, saying, “The Mayor should be ashamed of himself for putting money above the rights of his citizens. Mayors in Idaho should tell Mayor Rognstad that the 2nd Amendment means a lot more to them than money.”
At the heart of Mayor Rognstad’s concern is musicians who require concert-goers to be disarmed at their events.
He fears that these artists won’t come to Sandpoint if the city can’t disarm citizens on public property.
Idaho’s current firearm preemption law prohibits cities from enacting ordinances that deal with the possession of firearms on public property.
Mayor Rognstad is proposing that cities and counties have control over events where large groups of people are gathering. Mayor Rognstad’s proposal would be yet another law that criminals would ignore, and he would endanger the lives of Idahoans who wouldn’t be able to defend themself.
His proposal would likely impact an Idahoan’s ability to carry their firearm at a county fair or other popular events.
Rognstad also claims that we must disarm Idahoans at these events for “public safety.”
Idahoans have a long history of carrying firearms for self-defense. They don’t need or want the government’s permission to do so on public property.
However, Mayor Rognstad believes that he deserves the power to control whether you can defend yourself at a concert or other public venue where criminals love to target.
He is trying to convince other mayors and the legislature to go along with his proposal.
Idaho’s gun owners aren’t buying it.
The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance has launched a campaign to stop Mayor Rognstad and his ‘gun-free’ zone proposal.
The ISAA is proposing legislation this year that would strengthen the firearm preemption statute.
It will be interesting to see what side, if any, comes out on top of this fight.
You can see the letter and survey questions sent to the mayors in Idaho below.
Municipal Survey: Public leased Property
1. What jurisdiction do you represent?
2. Does your city, county or other public entity within your jurisdiction lease any public property to a private entity for a private event which bans guns from the event?
3. If yes, what is the venue, are there multiple events annually, are they recurring?
4. What is/are the name of the event and estimated total number of attendees?
5. What is the estimated total financial impact to the city and/or county for said events or events?
