- The Washington Times - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A proposed disaster emergency ordinance in Guntersville, Ala., would give police overreaching power to disarm individuals in the event of an emergency.

Mayor Leigh Dollar backs the proposal.

“This is in there to protect public workers and any volunteers helping should someone become unruly — which can happen since emotions are high — that it would give an officer that authority,” the mayor told ABC 31. “It’s just there to protect people.”

The new rule would allow authorities to confiscate the firearms of disorderly people during an extreme weather event such as the April 2011 tornadoes or any other emergency, ABC 31 reports.

Ms. Dollar denied accusations that the ordinance is an infringement on individuals’ Constitutional rights, but a Guntersville Music Academy teacher isn’t buying it.

“Well, it seems like an infringement on the 2nd Amendment and that’s the biggest problem I have with it,” Paul Landry told ABC 31.

The ordinance seems to be reminiscent of when New Orleans police confiscated guns in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., already has the policy on the books. Ms. Dollar wants to use it as a model, ABC 31 reports.

The proposed ordinance will be on the March 4th agenda at the next Guntersville City Council meeting.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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