Audio By Carbonatix
Governor Jan Brewer signed two bills into law yesterday that — if nothing else — solidify Arizona’s reputation as the Wild West.
One of the bills, HB 2307, allows Arizonans to own guns without registering them with the federal government, as long as the guns are made, bought, and sold in Arizona.
Supporters of the bill are using it as a declaration of Arizona’s sovereignty from the federal government, and Brewer seems to be swallowing that worm hook, line, and sinker.
“These two pieces of legislation related to firearms protect and strengthen Arizonan’s constitutional rights provided under the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In particular, HB 2307 should send a clear and convincing message that politicians in Washington should not attempt to get between Arizonans and their constitutional rights.” Brewer says in a statement.
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
The bills are just the latest in a series of gun laws that a recent analysis of Arizona’s gun policies by The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence concluded “lack common sense.
“Since Arizona does not require Brady criminal background checks on all firearm sales, including those at gun shows, gun traffickers don’t need to leave the state to funnel illegal guns to felons and gang members,” says Paul Helmke, Brady Campaign president. “Arizona officials have done nothing in the past year to stop the flow of illegal guns within the state, including closing the loophole that allows dangerous people to walk into gun shows and buy guns without background checks.”
As we stated in a previous post about some of Arizona’s other gun-related legislation, what Arizona may lack in common-sense gun laws, it makes up for in hillbilly, gun-toting legislators. Click here to have a look at some of their handiwork from this legislative session.
