On December 15, 2009, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania (located near Pittsburgh) passed a new ordinance requiring gun owners to report their weapon stolen within 72 hours of discovering the theft. If owners fail to comply with the ordinance, they face a possible 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Opponents of the ordinance believe that it is an unreasonable burden on law-abiding citizens while doing little to deter criminals. Other opponents question the overall legality of the law.
For more information, go to:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailynewsmckeesport/s_657999.html
I love this idea, but I can sympathize a bit with those concerned about the misdirection of energies towards fighting crime. The legality of the law will more than likely be challenged because a local government cannot place stricter restraints on it’s citizens than the state already allows for. West Mifflin obviously hasn’t learned the lessons of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh when the restriction of carry rights were restrained from those that lived outside the particular city. Once taxpayers foot the bill of the lawsuits that will ensue, then maybe they’ll understand the can of worms they opened up. Glad I don’t live there.