Gun Owners Of America Sue Kenney, Philly Over Rec Center Gun Ban

PHILADELPHIA — Shortly after Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order banning guns from city recreation facilities — including rec center buildings, courts, fields, playgrounds, and pools — a national gun owner group is suing him and the city.

Gun Owners of America filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction on an enforcement of the executive order.

The suit alleges Kenney's order violates Pennsylvania law.

According to the suit, state law only allows firearms to be regulated at the state level by the legislature, not by local municipalities.

The suit cites an opinion handed down in the Firearm Owners Against Crime, et al. v. Lower Merion Township in 2016.

"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 in the suit are 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.

Exceptions to the executive order exist for law enforcement and certain security professionals.

See the full complaint from Gun Owners of America here.