Politics & Government
Council Passes Resolution on Federal Assault Weapon Ban
Critics say city is wasting its time by wading into national debate over which it has no control.
Should the Petaluma City Council take a position on gun control?
The city voted 6-1 Monday to sign a resolution supporting the renewal of a federal ban on assault weapons, after being asked to do so by Senator Dianne Feinstein.
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Most council members agreed sending a resolution was an important, albeit symbolic step in the nation’s effort to curb gun violence.
But not everyone in the public agreed.
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Petaluma residents Don Weisenfluh and Richard Brawn were two of three speakers who spoke against the council’s resolution, saying the group was overstepping its jurisdiction.
They also argued that the Second Amendment should not be amended to restrict assault weapons nationwide.
The only dissenting councilmember was Mike Harris who called the resolution a “slippery slope.”
“What is next, are we going to start discussing the atrocities in Darfur or take a position on freeing Leonard Peltier or drone usage in Petaluma?” Harris said.
What do you think? Is it right for the city to take on issues outside their purview?
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