Proposed Ordinance asks Each Household to Have a Firearm <SCRIPT language=JavaScript>var wn_last_ed_date = getLEDate("Sept 21, 2006 10:26 AM EST"); document.write(wn_last_ed_date);</SCRIPT>Sep 21, 2006 09:26 AM CDT <TABLE id=wnStoryBox cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width=180 align=left bgColor=#ffffff border=0 NAME="D20"><TBODY><TR><TD><!--FEATURED VIDEOS--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#f4f4f4><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=20></TD><TD width="100%"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD></TR><TR><TD><!--AD 180x150 LOCAL--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1>coreAdsCreate('wnsz_20', 'loc', '100');</SCRIPT></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Greenleaf, Idaho -- All Americans have the right to bear arms. Some towns have even gone as far as to require each household to have a gun. Now a small Idaho town is contemplating a similar idea-- it's called the Civil Emergencies Ordinance. And although gun ownership is just one piece of this ordinance, it's the part that's getting the most attention. "We've blessed to be a fairly rural area of the state, so we don't have a lot of crime and I think we'd like to keep it that way," said Lee Belt, Greenleaf city clerk. Drive about 10 minutes west of Caldwell and you'll run into Greenleaf, Idaho, population 860. If city council member Steve Jett has his way, each head of household that can legally own a gun, will. Along with that they're encouraged to have ammunition and appropriate training. "I think the city council is hoping it will happen and that it will be a deterrent to crime as the city and region increases in population," said Belt. The proposed ordinance is modeled after a similar plan that went into place in 1982 in Kennesaw, Ga. In that instance there was a dramatic decrease in criminal activity. Although crime isn't a huge problem for residents of Greenleaf, the growth in neighboring counties leads them to believe they too are in for some changes. "There's not a lot of crime here, but I think it's coming, it's getting worse everyday," said Art Bailey, owner of the Greenleaf Store. While the plan does encourages firearm ownership, the ordinance goes beyond that. "The largest part itself deals with emergency capabilities," said Belt. The plan will establish an emergency response plan, and promote its citizen response teams and neighborhood watch volunteer groups, a proactive approach to keep the crime rate to a minimum. So how have residents responded? According to almost everyone we spoke to, they already owned a gun or multiple guns, so this would have no effect on them either way. "I don't know if it is good for every household, but we being hunters have always had guns," said Bonnie Cagle, a Greenleaf resident. "I think it is an excellent idea," said Bailey. "If the citizens are armed were not at a disadvantage." We did ask to speak with the city council member who proposed the ordinance but he was out of town. In November, the council will decide whether or not to adopt the ordinance
Not far from me. That is the majority of thought out here. We are just over voted in the west in the major city. Im telling ya boys pack up and move out west!
I'm just under two years from needing a place to be. This joint has to go on the list of places to look into for long term (hopefully.)
If they pass that ordinance, I bet crime won't be much of a problem there, at all. It'd be good to see ordinances like that in more areas. G-It's beautiful country. Where we were, it seemed that there were deer everywhere - good hunting. And quite a few bodies of water which provided good fishing (at least for us it was - once we got rid of the bananas ) Here's a view north of there, from my recent camping trip: and a smokey sunset, from all the wildfires:
I think the ordnance is a good thing, or at least mostly so. But one must wonder why it is needed since most folks are armed anyway. Sorta like a law or rule that says rabbits must breed.
Keeps anti gun laws out, and keeps would be stoppers and robbers moving on looking for greener stealing.
Wouldn't bother me if Bonneville, The Dalles and The John Day burst Our only hope for Ordinance's like this, even in some of the rural areas, not all. We could use a few more folks with this type of mentality
Okay, let me interject a bit of paranoia. So if they make it an ordinance that you need to own a weapon and it comes time for a 'disaster' and they happen to be outgunned, whose weapons will they seize? 'Oh, those nice folks that are on our lists as gun owners have some nice iron, so why not go 'borrow' theirs?' Okay, I feel better now. Haha. As far as this goes, I think that instead of an ordinance where you have to own a gun, it would be better to have an ordinance saying you can own a gun. Some people just can't handle firearms and above else, should not be allowed to use firearms. Training or not, every person doesn't make a good shot. And as far as the comment I saw about Move West. Well, that may be good, as long as you do not move too far west. The far west isn't what it once was, unless your planning on heading to Liberalville Commifornia.