<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>In light of today’s shootings (resulting in 26 deaths) in Sutherland Springs, Texas, perhaps a little reflection is in order . . .</div><div><br></div>On January 22, 2013 the Moscow City Council discussed firearms violence and community advocacy for regulation of firearms.<div><div style="text-align: start;"><p align="center" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="5" face="Arial">Firearms Violence Discussion</font></p><p align="center" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="3" face="Arial">January 22, 2013</font></p><p align="center" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="2" face="Arial">(<b><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/012213_06_GunViolence_CommRep.pdf"><font color="#339933">Committee Report Available</font></a></b>, approximately 7 megabytes)</font></p></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">In the aftermath of several tragic incidents of violence using guns, local government and law enforcement officials throughout the nation are discussing potential solutions to prevent these horrific events. Discussions range from local firearms control to supporting legislative action by state and federal legislatures. In Moscow, the tragic incident which occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut on December 14, 2012, was brought up during the Public Comment portion of the December 17, 2013 City Council meeting by Police Chief David Duke. Chief Duke provided background on the capabilities of the Moscow Police Department and cooperation between the MPD and Moscow School District relating to school safety. Comments were made by the Mayor and members of the City Council. A letter from Moscow School District #281 Superintendent Dale Kleinert was provided to the City Council as well. In 2007 and 2008, the question of the City's ability to regulate firearms was researched relating to the potential restriction of firearms in certain public venues such as City Hall and public meetings. The City Attorney conducted exhaustive research and his conclusion is that the State of Idaho has preempted the regulation of firearms and that local government lacks the authority to regulate firearms. This was </span><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/AD_011413_FirearmsViolence.htm" style="text-align: justify;">discussed by the Administrative Committee on January 14, 2013</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. City Council direction is sought concerning advocacy relating to the regulation of firearms.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Videos of this discussion by the city council are accessible at</span></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/012213_04_FirearmsViolenceDiscussion.htm">http://www.moscowcares.com/012213_04_FirearmsViolenceDiscussion.htm</a></div><div style="text-align: start;"><br></div><div style="text-align: start;">Since then college students have secured legislative support in allowing them (the students) to carry firearms on campus and in classrooms.</div><div style="text-align: start;"><br></div><div style="text-align: start;">What can I add, but . . .</div><div style="text-align: start;"><br></div><div style="text-align: start;">“Esto perpetua”</div><br><div id="AppleMailSignature"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"There's room at the top they are telling you still.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you want to be like the folks on the hill."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- John Lennon</span></div></div></div></body></html>