First challenge to Columbus AWB tossedCOLUMBUS --- Franklin County Probate Judge Lawrence Belskis has dismissed the first court challenge to Columbus' new assault weapon ban.
The case, filed by Franklin County probate lawyer and city council candidate Phil Harmon, challenged the ordinance on the narrow grounds that it would interfere with administration of estates in Franklin County.
"It was an interesting, innovative approach," said attorney Ken Hanson. Now Buckeye Firearms Association's Legislative Chair, Hanson is no stranger to court cases challenging local firearms ordinances. "Fortunately the case was narrow in scope, and the Judge's ruling was largely limited to jurisidctional issues. I expect the first serious challenges to be filed after people get a better feel for whether statewide preemption will pass in the near future or not."
From a story in the Columbus Dispatch:
Harmon said he is not planning to appeal, but is talking to others about whether the lawsuit should be filed again in Common Pleas or federal court. Harmon said his talks have been with groups such as the People's Rights Organization, a statewide gun-rights advocacy group that has said it is considering challenging the law. The organization successfully challenged the city's two previous attempts at assault-weapons legislation.
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2658.
