I got a good chuckle last night when 6 of the 8 councilors voted to NOT allow a tax abatement (Starr & Stehly voted for the abatement), with councilor Neitzert saying basically he has no choice but to follow the law and deny abatement, but then later on in the meeting 7 of them vote (Starr voted NO to the change)Â to challenge state law on the pawn shop ordinance;
A Sioux Falls ordinance falls a little more in line with a new state law tonight. Earlier this year, Governor Kristi Noem signed a law that said local governments could not prohibit the sale or purchase of firearms. In Sioux Falls,  the ordinance required all pawn shops and gun dealers to cross check any merchandise with a serial number. The change approved by a 7 to 1 vote tonight replaces the word “gun dealer†with second hand dealer, which still allows for cross checking.
Not sure if the AG will challenge the city’s decision or not, but I find it a little hypocritical of Neitzert to say he must follow law, than votes for this. I’m all for tracking gun sales, but I would be curious how taking the word out ‘gun dealers’ but continuing to track gun sales is any different?
I suggested something similar with a city ordinance that says if a ‘weapon’ is stolen from your unlocked vehicle and used in a crime you could be fined. I felt saying ‘weapon’ instead of ‘gun’ skirted state law when it came to locally regulating guns.
I also think the council should implement a city ordinance that bans all ‘weapons’ from city buildings.
If we are going to base city ordinance on word games, let’s go all the way.
“Un, Alex, I would like to try ‘Gun Sales’ for $600.”
Pawn shops are second hand sellers. They get special legal focus because they are where most stolen goods are fenced. Guns are a general item when sold by private parties. You can buy a gun at a gun show without a background check. Pawn shops record serial numbers but for all items of significant value.