GOA and GOF Secure Injunction Against Anti-gun Winchester, Virginia Ordinance/File Lawsuit against Philadelphia Carry Restrictions

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 28, 2022 

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) secured a preliminary injunction yesterday against a Winchester, VA ordinance that prohibits the possession, carry, or transportation of firearms at public parks and in public areas where approved demonstrations are occurring.  

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:  

“We appreciate Judge Eldridge’s move to enjoin much of this unconstitutional ordinance, and we are confident that we will succeed in fully dismantling this law at trial. This is just another example of the positive effect that the Bruen decision is having in pushing back on the anti-gun policies of local, state, and federal governments.”  

Yesterday’s victory will help on many future challenges to bans in public parks and public areas in Virginia. However, while GOA and GOF celebrate this tremendous victory, the Circuit Court Judge unfortunately did not enjoin the portion of the ordinance that prohibited firearms in government run recreation facilities or community centers. 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews.  Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA- 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 28, 2022

Philadelphia, PA - Yesterday, lame-duck Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order prohibiting individuals from lawful carry at all City of Philadelphia recreational facilities. The mayor’s actions are in clear violation of Pennsylvania law prohibiting these types of local gun restrictions. Within hours of Mayor Kenney's signing ceremony, Gun Owners of America (GOA) filed a lawsuit to enjoin enforcement of this illegal gun regulation. 

“Mayor Kenney knows this executive order is pointless: law abiding gun owners aren’t the people committing the violent crime and murder in Philadelphia,” said Dr. Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director for GOA. “Instead, Mayor Kenney is trying to deflect attention from his failing policies and failing City by enacting more 'feel good' regulations that scapegoat guns for the crisis of crime in Philadelphia. Rather than take responsibility for city policies that created two years of record homicides, Kenney is attempting to capitalize on the tragic deaths of Philadelphia residents to disarm more people and create more victim-only, ‘gun-free’ zones. All this executive order does is put a bullseye on the back of every person at Philadelphia recreational facilities, because they know that Mayor Kenney won’t let you defend yourself there."

"The lack of respect for taxpayer money is appalling," said Andrew Austin, attorney for GOA and the plaintiffs in this lawsuit. "Pennsylvania law is clear here: Philly is not allowed to make gun regulations. Every appellate court in Pennsylvania has made this clear multiple times. Yet, they continue to waste taxpayer money by attempting to enact these illegal laws."

Gun Owners of America will be seeking to enjoin enforcement of Mayor Kenney's Executive Order in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In addition, GOA has previously filed several other lawsuits in Philadelphia in the last two years in pursuit of Second Amendment rights, and will continue to fight as long as necessary to ensure every citizen has the ability to defend themselves, particularly in lawless cities such as Mayor Kenney's Philadelphia.

Dr. Val Finnell, or another GOA spokesperson is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

-GOA-