CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston City Council voted Monday night to rescind a controversial gun purchase ordinance and now awaits possible court action on a bill recently passed by state lawmakers.
Mayor Danny Jones said the 1993 ordinance that limits the sale of handguns in the city limits to one a month with a three-day waiting period has served its purpose.
“It accomplished what it was meant to accomplish,” Jones said.
The mayor now wants Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to veto the legislature’s municipal gun bill passed earlier this month that opens the door for those with conceal carry permits to carry guns into some municipal buildings. Jones believes the pro-gun lobby pushed the bill through the legislature because it’s upset with Charleston’s gun purchase ordinance.
“They’ve used this ordinance to turn it into a 40-page bill to put guns in Head Start programs (in community centers) and that’s a fight that I’m making and will continue to make,” Jones said, adding the city will challenge the new measure in court if Gov. Tomblin signs it into law.
“We’re hoping to get the governor to veto that bill. If he doesn’t, of course, we’re going to court,” Jones said.
Tomblin hasn’t commented on the bill. Jones hopes to get a meeting with him sometime later this week.