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Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
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By Lindsay Machak lindsay.machak@nwi.com, (219) 933-3246 | Posted: Monday, August 29, 2011 9:40 pm | (3) Comments
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HAMMOND | A lawsuit was filed Monday against Hammond for refusing to repeal its ban on weapons in city buildings and parks, which contradicts a new state law.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, was filed on behalf of a Hammond grandmother and a Highland resident who attends college in Hammond.

Michelle Bahus, lives within half a block of a Hammond park and wishes to bring her gun with her when she takes her grandchildren out, said her attorney, Guy Relford.

Even though Bahus has a state license to carry, she is prohibited by city code from taking a gun to the park.

Another city ordinance bans people from bringing firearms to any public building owned or leased by the city.

The Indiana General Assembly passed a law in the spring that allows registered firearm owners to carry guns inside public buildings that do not host a court.

In an earlier interview with The Times, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he doesn't plan to violate the state law, "But we don't have to repeal it ... it's just illegal and we will not enforce it."

Hammond approved its gun ban after a woman was shot and killed in City Hall by her estranged husband in 1991.

However, the new state law made it clear that Hoosiers could sue if a municipality failed to repeal a contradictory local ban.

That's exactly what Bahus and Samuel G. Dykstra did.

Dykstra, of Highland, visits Hammond regularly for classes at Purdue Calumet, Relford said.

He also has a license to carry a concealed weapon, but feels he is being slighted by the city's refusal to change the ordinances.

The plaintiffs in the suit could be awarded up to three times their court costs and attorney's fees.

The suit also pushes a court to order the city to repeal or amend the ordinances to comply with state code.

The Hammond City Council denied a proposal to allow firearms in city buildings other than City Hall earlier this month. City Hall hosts city court and therefore would be able to keep its gun ban under the new state law, which took effect July 1.

Author:	justcallmetommy [ Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:00 am ]
Post subject:	Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
Quote: Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban Story Discussion By Lindsay Machak lindsay.machak@nwi.com, (219) 933-3246 \| Posted: Monday, August 29, 2011 9:40 pm \| (3) Comments Font Size:Default font sizeLarger font size . HAMMOND \| A lawsuit was filed Monday against Hammond for refusing to repeal its ban on weapons in city buildings and parks, which contradicts a new state law. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, was filed on behalf of a Hammond grandmother and a Highland resident who attends college in Hammond. Michelle Bahus, lives within half a block of a Hammond park and wishes to bring her gun with her when she takes her grandchildren out, said her attorney, Guy Relford. Even though Bahus has a state license to carry, she is prohibited by city code from taking a gun to the park. Another city ordinance bans people from bringing firearms to any public building owned or leased by the city. The Indiana General Assembly passed a law in the spring that allows registered firearm owners to carry guns inside public buildings that do not host a court. In an earlier interview with The Times, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he doesn't plan to violate the state law, "But we don't have to repeal it ... it's just illegal and we will not enforce it." Hammond approved its gun ban after a woman was shot and killed in City Hall by her estranged husband in 1991. However, the new state law made it clear that Hoosiers could sue if a municipality failed to repeal a contradictory local ban. That's exactly what Bahus and Samuel G. Dykstra did. Dykstra, of Highland, visits Hammond regularly for classes at Purdue Calumet, Relford said. He also has a license to carry a concealed weapon, but feels he is being slighted by the city's refusal to change the ordinances. The plaintiffs in the suit could be awarded up to three times their court costs and attorney's fees. The suit also pushes a court to order the city to repeal or amend the ordinances to comply with state code. The Hammond City Council denied a proposal to allow firearms in city buildings other than City Hall earlier this month. City Hall hosts city court and therefore would be able to keep its gun ban under the new state law, which took effect July 1.

Author:	justcallmetommy [ Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:06 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
Sure didn't take very long. Kim was a head of the curve Tom. Oh, I forgot Tom, your looking at assuring more tax dollars go to your attorney referal program. Here we go again, Hammond friggin hero putting Hammond tax dollars into the pockets of his attorney friends at the cost of other programs. AS if the legal clinic wasn't enough, along with the employment plan for an ex radio host found employement in the streets dept and a mailman's wife and kids now working for the water department.

Author:	xmpt [ Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:41 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
Does anyone recognize the last name Bahus?

Author:	justcallmetommy [ Thu Sep 01, 2011 7:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
xmpt wrote: Does anyone recognize the last name Bahus? So that you can have code enforcement knock on their door? Or that Tom can work at ending her relative's employment @ city or county government? Or that you can label her, as you have with others that question McDermott actions, with being a lunatic or nut like you did with Freetime?

Author:	xmpt [ Fri Sep 02, 2011 9:07 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Lawsuit filed against Hammond gun ban
Or that this is another attempt to stir the pot before the General Election. Sort of like your Federal Indictments and class action suits that never appeared.

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