Jackson Free Press

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Frank Melton is again trying to close down gun shows, as well as other guns shops. Could it be that this is the reason he declared the "state of emergency"—so that he could eliminate gun sales in Jackson?

State law allows mayors to proclaim states of civil emergency for five days. The statute gives Melton the authority to set a new curfew without agreement from the City Council. The law also gives him powers he has not yet used, such as instituting a curfew for adults and closing down liquor and gun stores. Melton briefed council members about a plan to impose gun-sale restrictions in a closed-door session Tuesday afternoon, but council members talked him out of that idea, the mayor said

Melton said on his interdictions he has encountered young men who informed him that they've illegally purchased guns.

"I was proposing shutting down gun shows and pawn shops and places that sell weapons until we get a grip (on illegally purchased guns)," Melton said.

"Under the advice of the City Council, I'm going to spend more time thinking it through. That's a pretty big step," he said.

Remember, you first heard about Melton's gun-show obsession in the Jackson Free Press back on April 12.

Previous Comments

ID

122639

Comment

Unless there's something I don't know, Melton can't shut down a Gun Show on property he doesn't control. And I doubt too many pawn shops are flouting Federal Gun regulations, either. I don't think crime will magically go away if you get rid of guns.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-07-12T11:11:43-06:00

ID

122640

Comment

Well, the paper seems to be saying that he can close down gun stores under his "state of emergency." But, per usual, there was very little detail there. I'll get Adam to check this out to find out the whole story. People really oughta read the fine print before they start proclaiming that things like perpetual "states of emergency" (reminds me of Orwell) are a good idea. To every yin, there's a yang.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T11:15:19-06:00

ID

122641

Comment

dumbass. He HEARD that they were illegally buying guns? Hey fool, why don't you do some basic police work and send some undercovers to find out if its true or not. WAIT A SECOND!!!!! That would involve basic police work. never mind.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-07-12T11:17:52-06:00

ID

122642

Comment

I think that Ironghost is correct, the gun shows are held at the coliseum, which is a state property, the JPD has no jurisdiction there, as far as local law enforcement goes jurisdiction is with the Hinds County sheriff office

Author

malt

Date

2006-07-12T11:30:55-06:00

ID

122643

Comment

I spoke with Mike Brinkley, the man in charge of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. He has a copy of the AG's opinion in hand ( http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/foi_pdfs/gunshow.pdf ) and will call the proper police authorities and have Melton and his entourage removed should Melton choose to embarrass himself yet again on the issue of guns.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-07-12T15:16:44-06:00

ID

122644

Comment

Know the answer on the state of emergency question, Cliff? Does it mean that he can stop gun sales at pawn shops and the like? They're not on state property.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T15:25:25-06:00

ID

122645

Comment

Of course, the irony would be if Melton shows up to close it down with guns illegally strapped to himself. ;-D

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T15:26:03-06:00

ID

122646

Comment

That's a question for the AG's office. There aren't many gun shops left in Jackson though. They're all in Clinton and Rankin county. He might hurt a few small pawn shop owners, but it won't stop the sale of firearms. If people want to buy a gun, they'll just go to the gunshow in Jackson, or drive a few minutes. His show-boating affects nothing as usual.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-07-12T15:32:13-06:00

ID

122647

Comment

If a person admits to having obtained a weapon and to possessing this weapon illegally, shouldn't this person be arrested? What are the crime sweeps for if they do not arrest people who are doing and/or admitting to illegal deeds?

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-07-12T15:56:04-06:00

ID

122648

Comment

Agreed. Sound and fury. In year 2, we're moving along from a lot of this crap. Personally, I'm done with Mr. Melton's children's games. Read my editor's note this week. My suggestion is that we all leave him in our dust.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T16:05:29-06:00

ID

122649

Comment

Felonious Frank obviously hasn't read Miss. Code Ann. § 45-9-51: "Subject to the provisions of Section 45-9-53, no county or municipality may adopt any ordinance that restricts or requires the possession, transportation, sale, transfer or ownership of firearms or ammunition or their components." Section 45-9-53 goes on to state that a municipality may regulate possession of firearms only during periods of "insurrection, riots and natural disasters." However, even this exception does not allow the municipality to restrict possession of firearms in the home or place of business, or in transit to either place. Looks like someone needs to explain this to Frank before his ass gets sued (again).

Author

Curt Crowley

Date

2006-07-12T16:46:27-06:00

ID

122650

Comment

Well, we are facing a "natural disaster." (giggle)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T16:50:20-06:00

ID

122651

Comment

Melton would also do well to read the Second Amendment--and the rest of the Constitution for that matter. He claims to protect people by suspending their Constitutional rights. Expedient, yes, but dangerous and I believe fundamentally contrary to our most important American values. We need representatives who understand the rule of law, not merely the rule of power.

Author

Brent Cox

Date

2006-07-12T19:38:07-06:00

ID

122652

Comment

Well, at least he's not obsessed with just one constitutional right. He doesn't seem very interested in any of them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-12T20:50:51-06:00

ID

122653

Comment

Please vote in these polls about melton......... Should Jackson Mayor Frank Melton give specifics on fighting crime? YES no http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPINION There's also a weelky poll question there as well. Is Frank Melton doing a good jog as mayor? NO yes These are at the bottom of the page

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-07-13T07:41:38-06:00

ID

122654

Comment

Right when our state legislators go and do something as fun as declaring open season on thugs via the "castle law" Melton wants to shut the guns down. I was looking forward to protecting my domain with lethal force, oh well…at least I can keep the guns that I already possess. I'm sure the criminals will do the same. Most thugs will import the tools of their trade whether its guns, crack, or whatever else they feel comfortable using. The likelihood of them going into one of these establishments to up arm themselves seems absurd. I still side with the mayor in the part of keeping weapons out of the hands of evil, but please don't limit my ability to legitimately purchase firearms in order to exterminate would be robbers, rapists, and murderers now that our laws openly permit such.

Author

Skinnyp

Date

2006-07-13T11:00:07-06:00

ID

122655

Comment

The Clarion-Ledger is trying to say that Melton is being investigated for carrying guns on the planes. I think it's obvious that he would be. However, why don't they just find out and tell exactly what charges could be brought against him? I get so tired of the holes in their stories. This is extremely relevant because if he is convicted of a felony, his mayoral gig is in trouble. Anyone out there know what the charges could be? Let's help the Ledge out here. Documents detailing Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's attempts to board commercial flights carrying his guns are part of a criminal investigation, according to federal officials. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration refused to release 282 pages of documents requested on May 1 by The Clarion-Ledger pertaining to attempts by Melton and his security team to fly armed. "In reviewing the documents requested by you, we have determined that the responsive information is law enforcement information," TSA Freedom of Information Act Officer Catrina Pavlik wrote in the letter dated July 5. The letter said the FOIA authorizes withholding of law enforcement records "when disclosure of that information could reasonably be expected interfere with enforcement proceedings."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-07-13T11:14:42-06:00

ID

122656

Comment

11:27 a.m.: Jackson mayor to set curfew on homeless... HAhahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! How does that work exactly?

Author

colby

Date

2006-07-13T13:08:37-06:00