Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard Takes Aim at Second Amendment

[jsharmon7]

I just thought of this thread after reading that Ballard plans to veto the "Carry in City Parks" bill that was recently introduced. Anyone else confused by his appearance at the gun show and his stance on this bill?

 

[IndyMonkey]

You could of heard a cricket chirp at his booth at the 1500.

 

[HICKMAN]

this d-bag that I voted for just said on Fox 59 that he'd veto the city park gun ban change.

HE HAS GOT TO GO!

 

[Pami]

this d-bag that I voted for just said on Fox 59 that he'd veto the city park gun ban change.

HE HAS GOT TO GO!

IndyStar.com | Communities | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Ashkelon]

I am incensed upon hearing Ballard's veto plan! I live in the city and a young man was just shot and killed in a local park where I often take my son to play. (Highland Park) I am a frequent user of the Monon and parks such as Spades and Brookside and Garfield and Ellenberger.

I am sick and tired of suburbanites driving this issue and those that have flown to the relative safety of the lilly white neighborhoods that offer a false sense of security.

Yes, I know. I am often a liberal in many of my postings in these forums regarding social issues but I will be damned if I will be a victim to this nonsense. I can not speak with absolutely certainty but I do believe situational awareness has prevented attacks on me when I have been walking my dogs or out for a walk while living in the city.

I refuse to place my personal safety behind the political amibitions of one man or the coddling of a few big dollar donors.

 

[HICKMAN]

Sooo, the question becomes, "Who do you vote for, Ballard or the Democrat candidate?" Sadly, just like national politics it comes down to "lesser of 2 evils" when it comes to votes. Neither candidate is very good but one is "less bad" than the other.

need to find a Libertarian to support then.

 

[HICKMAN]

IndyStar.com | Communities | The Indianapolis Star

yeah, saw that, got my blood to boiling

 

[Lars]

Might I suggest coming to the following gatherings.
It was, in part, because Pami and I frequent these events that Councilmen Coleman authored the ordinance. They, the Libertarians, want to hear what you have to say. If it makes sense they'll even push to make it happen.

The Indianapolis Libertarian Meetup Group (Indianapolis, IN) - Meetup.com

 

[MattCFII]

Sent my email to Ballard, let's get enough pressure on him to reconsider!

Can somebody quote me what the current wording of the ordinance is and what the punishment is? I know the State has no law against Park carry unless it is being used or at a school.

 

[Lex Concord]

Sent my email to Ballard, let's get enough pressure on him to reconsider!

Can somebody quote me what the current wording of the ordinance is and what the punishment is? I know the State has no law against Park carry unless it is being used or at a school.

Municode.com | Online Library

Sec. 631-108. Discharging firearms. It shall be unlawful for any person, unless authorized by resolution of the board of parks and recreation, to discharge any firearms or have possession of any firearms or other explosive devices, or to endanger others by the use of any weapon, article or device, within any park, playground or on any property controlled or leased by the department of parks and recreation, or on which a concession has been granted by it.

(Code 1975, § 22-8)

Cross references: Weapons, ch. 451.

 

[indyk]

tell him what ya think

Mayor Greg Ballard

Be respectful, but stern and remember your representing responsible firearm owners with your replies



indyk

 

[MattCFII]

Municode.com | Online Library

Sec. 631-108.

Thanks Lex, rep given! But what does Indy currently do to people they catch carrying? I doubt the actually charge criminals on this and go for the bigger State crimes, leaving citizens that want to protect themselves out in the cold.

 

[dburkhead]

My letter to Mr. Ballard:

Mr. Ballard,

I am very disappointed at your recent remarks that you would veto a measure by the city council to rescind the restriction on people's right to legally carry firearms for self defense in City parks.

As I'm sure you're aware the 2nd Amendment of the United States says "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people, to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." While some may argue that the 2nd only applies to the Federal government and officers of cities and states need not observe it, no such argument can be made against the similar provision of the Indiana State Constitution, Article 1, Section 32: "The people shall have a right to bear arms for protection of themselves and the State."

Crimes happen in Indy Parks. They happen despite patrols by the police. They happen despite cameras such as those along the Monon trail. They happen to ordinary people simply trying to enjoy the fruits of their tax dollars with their families. And the response of the Indianapolis government--of you, Mr. Ballard--is to deprive them of the means of effectively defending themselves and their families.

I don't know the wording of the oath you swore as Mayor of Indianapolis, but when you entered the Marine Corps you swore the same oath I did to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Even though I no longer serve in the military, having been honorably discharged, nobody ever told me that I was released from that oath. Perhaps you feel differently?

I call upon you to honor your oath to support and defend the Constitution, in this case both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana and instead of vetoing any such measure, actively support it and work for its passage.

In the past year there has been a great deal of concern among the people of the United States about the governments efforts to trample the rights of people in the US. Most of the attention, and the press, is given to the Federal Government on this issue but be aware that people are just as aware, and just as concerned, about the smaller units of government within the nation. And those who have betrayed the promise of Freedom are likely to see that concern reflected at the polls on election day.

Support the right of the people to keep and bear arms for protection of themselves and the State, as guaranteed in the Indiana Constitution. Support the right of the people to keep and bear arms as guaranteed in the United States Constitution. Remove the ban on firearms from Indy Parks.

 

[thompal]

My letter to the mayor:

I am greatly concerned by what appears to be an ongoing campaign of encroachments on our gun rights as well as our right to defend ourselves and our families.

The police support Ed Coleman's proposal for two reasons: it is our fundamental right to defend ourselves from those who wish to harm us and our families; and it is our right to keep AND BEAR arms, as protected by the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Indiana Constitution.

When criminals, who, by definition, break laws, routinely rob, mug, rape, and murder innocents in our city, on our streets, and IN OUR PARKS, why would you prefer that their victims are forced to remain helpless against this onslaught? Are we, as law-abiding AND LICENSED citizens now told that we must disarm ourselves when entering a park, and leave our firearm in our cars, where they may be easily stolen, which will further ADD to the crime problem by putting more firearms in the hands of criminals?

Please tell me that you mis-spoke on this issue, and that you are, as a former Marine, and current Republican, supportive of all of our Constitutional rights, and will not use it like a menu, from which you select only what you feel like supporting.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

Paul hit the nail on the head with this one.. and here is my thoughts on this same subject.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...uns_permitted_in_city_parks-6.html#post825944

 

[MACHINEGUN]

Dosent that violate some code of former Marines?

This honorably discharged "former" Marine says yes.. he is no "Marine" in my eyes.. he's just some jaded lying ignorant fool.

 

[kludge]

If the mayor "has not heard this in any forum he goes to" he's going to the wrong forums.

That fallacious argument qualifies as an "appeal to ignorance".

Let's see how many more fallacious arguments we can find in that article.

 

[jsharmon7]

Sent last night:

"Dear Mayor Ballard,
I recently read an article in the Indianapolis Star about your desire to veto a bill that was introduced recently which would allow citizens who possess the LTCH to carry firearms in Indianapolis parks. I am not aware of any shootings by citizens who possess the LTCH in the state parks where it is currently legal to carry a handgun and don't understand why city parks would be any different. I do however see stories of crimes being committed in our city parks and on our trails against unarmed citizens. Guns are already in our parks, but it's not the law-abiding citizens who have them. In this respect, the current law does nothing to prevent guns from being in the hands of criminals in our parks. It only ensures that their victims are defenseless. Also, and I apologize if I'm being unfair, but the article I read made it sound as though you're against this bill because you don't think the citizens are concerned about this issue and therefore see no need to make a change. If this is the case, may I suggest this question be put to a referendum in the upcoming May election? If the people of this city do not want this bill, it will be voted down. Thank you for your service to our country as a soldier, and to our city as our Mayor. Please give those who have voted for you a chance to be heard."

 

[Lars]

According to the Database.... (yes the one we want made private)

There are 659900 residents in Marion County
There are 42183 people licensed to carry a handgun
That accounts for 6.39% of the population of Marion County

What percentage did the Mayor win his election by?

 

[Bill of Rights]

This honorably discharged "former" Marine says yes.. he is no "Marine" in my eyes.. he's just some jaded lying ignorant fool.

I'd go so far as to call him an "ex" Marine. I know you guys are properly called "former"... but he turned his back on his oath and then upon it. IIRC, the code is Honor, Duty, God, and Country. To reject an oath freely given violates his honor at a minimum. No code, no Marine.

Admittedly, I did not serve, so my opinions are solely my own, and I defer on this one to those who've earned that title. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

Blessings,
Bill