Gun Ban At Philly Rec Centers Struck Down

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia judge has sided with Gun Owners of America, ruling that Mayor Jim Kenney's weapons ban at Philadelphia recreation centers and other facilities cannot be enforced.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Common Please Court Judge Joshua H. Roberts permanently locked enforcement of the order, which Kenney signed one week ago, Monday.

The decision comes shortly after Gun Owners of America sued the city and Kenney over the order.

The order would have banned guns and other deadly weapons from city recreation facilities, including rec center buildings, courts, fields, playgrounds, and pools.

Signing of the order came on the heels of former Philadelphia Parks and Recreation employee Tiffany Fletcher being killed by a stray bullet on Sept. 9 as she worked at a playground.

The suit cited a few state laws that prevent municipal and county governments from passing firearm laws that are stricter than state laws.

"The Mayor’s September 27th Executive Order directly regulates the lawful possession of firearms in violation of [Pennsylvania law]," the suit says. "Therefore, the September 27th Executive Order violates Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption statutes and may not be enforced."

According to the city, nearly 200 reported incidents of gun violence have occurred at Philadelphia recreation facilities, in addition to dozens of other incidents of violence with a deadly weapon, since 2019.

Plaintiffs were Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, and three Philadelphia residents who possess licenses to carry firearms in Pennsylvania, and have and plan to continue carrying their firearms at Philadelphia's recreation centers and other Parks and Recreation facilities.

Their attorney said the executive order was "nothing more than a press release" and that it would have not addressed the city's gun violence.

Kenney's administration said it was disappointed with the decision, and said the executive order sought to ensure "the safety of children, families and staff in what must be safe places," according to Action News.