Pottsville, PA--Republican State Committee member and Pottsville resident Scott R. Thomas today criticized Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley’s support of gun control legislation initiated by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.   Reiley announced his support of the legislation, along with his intent to introduce it to the Pottsville City Council yesterday.  Reilly is attending a rally today in Reading to show support for the proposed ordinance.

“The Mayor is misguided in his support for this ordinance which has been opposed by the National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups.  The ordinance is wrong in that is further victimizes those that are the victims of crime by levying fines for failure to report lost or stolen guns.  Why does Reilly think that the criminals who steal a gun are not going to sell that gun just because of an ordinance in Pottsville?” Thomas stated. 

“I believe the Mayor is simply trying to suck up to the big city liberal Mayors that happen to belong to his political party (Democrats).  I know most of the citizens of Schuylkill County favor gun owners rights and support the legislative priorities of the National Rifle Association.  The NRA sued Reiley’s pal Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia over these very same initiatives.  Those lawsuits are not yet resolved.”

“The Pennsylvania legislature has sole authority over gun legislation, and this effort by the Philadelphia liberals is an attempt to supersede that authority.  Rather than imposing more laws on law abiding citizens, the existing laws should be fully enforced”, Thomas continued.  “I also call on our legislators to declare their position on this proposed ordinance immediately, particularly Representatives Seip and Goodman that represent the City of Pottsville.”

Thomas also expressed concern that if the City Council adopts the ordinance, the likelihood of a lawsuit challenging the ordinance is likely.  “Passage of this ordinance is an invitation to gun rights advocates to sue the City of Pottsville.  The cost to defend such a lawsuit would be large, and I believe, unsuccessful.  State law clearly states that the legislature has authority on these matters, not local governments.” Thomas stated.

“I plan to encourage all who own guns or want to assert our rights to own them to attend the next City Council meeting to oppose Mayor Reiley and his efforts to infringe on gun owners rights”, Thomas stated.  “I also encourage other council members to send a clear message to the Mayor that his support of big city gun control legislation has no place in Pottsville!”, he said.