The fun got started right away during open discussion when Theresa and Janet asked where the prior discussion was for the proposal to move public input. But the big news maker of the afternoon was Pat Starr’s proposal to fine gun owners who are not responsible enough to lock up their weapons than get stolen. While several news agencies and blogs have been on the ‘freak’ about this, settle down, just watch what Pat said during the meeting. He is ‘exploring’ the idea and seeing what the city ‘can’ do. He also is very clear he supports gun ownership, what he does not support is ‘irresponsible’ gun ownership. The fine essentially would be for ignoramuses who are not smart enough to lock up their weapons.
But the even bigger news to come from the informational (IMO) was that the city will take care of the ash tree removal in the boulevard (parking strip) at their expense, well really is our expense since we pay frontage taxes on that land. Either way you won’t have to directly pay a contractor to remove that tree. The city and maybe the use of private contractors will eliminate that. They did caution though you are responsible for ash trees on your property.
Councilor Stehly suggested since the city will be purchasing a half-million dollar tree truck and possibly 3 FTEs that maybe it is time to tie in Project TRIM with the ash tree removal? She basically said she wanted to start that discussion. Of course Kiley had all kinds of boloney excuses not to do it. We will see how this goes.
and if someone steals your car you should be fined; or a knife from your car; or a baseball bat from your garage; or a rock from your yard- all of this should carry heavy fines for the owner
Let’s simplify it for yah; Would you leave $300 cash on the front seat of your car, unlocked, overnight in your driveway? Of course you wouldn’t, because that’s IRRESPONSIBLE, just like leaving a lethal weapon in the same fashion.
Guns is a delicate subject in South Dakota. It would be nice to impose some sort of penalty for not securing a weapon. Perhaps it exists for when a felon faces serious time for getting caught with a stolen gun. As for myself, I own guns and will always make sure they are locked up. It would really bother me if a gun I own is involved in a crime.
Matt,
The answer is “yes” to your question, if you can prove to me that those examples are a part of pandemic of violence.
Gun owners have always said, that if there were no guns, that only criminal would have guns. Well, if that is true, then the gun lobby/owners have already recognized the problem with stolen guns, so why can’t you?
vsg- show me where the stolen guns are part of a pandemic of violence- I missed that news report for sioux falls- and guns are a lethal weapon only when used that way I “recognize” the problem- any way you can hurt the gun owner, do it don’t care that his private rights are violated
what good does it do to leave your gun in the front seat of the car if you are in the house? how will your shoot the guy going through your car?
Props to Pat..If you think you need a gun in your vehicle, then lock your vehicle..in a state like SD it takes guts to state the obvious.
Wait – we are going to prevent the ash borers from killing our trees by killing our trees first by cuttting them down?
Why is expecting a owner lock their car onerous and burdensome?
Scorpio2, once a tree becomes sick and starts dying, rotting, etc, it becomes more difficult and dangerous to fell it. It also becomes much more expensive. This has been on its way to the city for a long time and I think they’ve been diversifying their “tree portfolio” for awhile now. The ash is a beautiful tree. I’m very sad that it will someday be in the same category as elm and chestnut. So far there is no cost effective way to stop this bug. As a woodworker, losing ash lumber really sucks since it was a nice wood to work with and fairly cheap around these parts.
How did guns become about trees? No wonder kids carry guns. They can’t carry trees. The ash trees is a consequence. They’re a native tree that will recover. Meanwhile, the price of firewood is less while natural gas heat is high.
MJ,
You don’t need a news report unless you are going to claim the local police department’s concern over this issue is a “nothing burger.”
Those of us who advocate the idea suggested by Councilman Starr are not “hurt”ing nor “violat”ing gun owners’ rights. We are just recognizing a responsibility, because with every right there is a responsibility too…
At the very least, these fools should lose their ability to possess a conceal carry permit
You should not fine people who don’t lock up their guns and they are stolen. Should you be more responsible, yes but, your out a gun and its your fault but, fines ludicrous. People make mistakes, forget, etc. Should we then start fining people who don’t lock their front door and someone takes your gun? Locking a gun away in a safe is kind of a dumb idea if you need it in a hurry as I doubt an intruder is going to wait calmly for you to get it. Should we fine folks for leaving their Adderal or Oxycotin prescription in the car? Those are dangerous and we do have issues with those items and they are a public safety concern. Point is, we need to stop punishing victims, I would propose nailing the their to the wall with a very stiff sentence. Why have we gotten to this point in this country that we always want to infringe on everyone who is NOT breaking the law. Dumb and a dumb idea. If you leave your gun in your car and it gets stolen, thats your own fault but, a fine on top of it, government overreach. These city counselor clowns should spend their time focusing on the real issues like the constant wast of money, the RFP process thats a joke, or the constant issue we have with street repairs.
pretty sure I have heard about as many stabbings in sioux Falls this year as I have injury by gun shot- just saying- so lets treat all lethal weapons the same I believe the police think your issue is a problem but i think they also are responding to stabbing reports the “pandemic” seems to be in stabbings
Weird, never heard SFPD Information Officer Clemens say anything about people stealing knives out of unlocked cars.
Just wondering how many confirmed ash borers have been seen in SF?