House OKs new version of weapons bill previously vetoed
PHOENIX -- Acting on an issue that drew a veto last year, the House on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to prohibit Arizona governors from having residents' weapons and ammunition seized during an emergency.
The House's 60-0 vote sent the bill (HB2458) to the Senate which has already passed similar legislation.
The measure, similar to measures adopted in other states, was proposed after New Orleans police confiscated guns from residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The National Rifle Association successfully sued to have the weapons returned, and the Louisiana Legislature changed the law last year to bar such confiscations.
Napolitano vetoed a version of the Arizona bill last year, saying it would bar the government from removing stores of ammunition from harm's way, such as the path of a forest fire.
This year's version was amended under a change negotiated by lawmakers, Napolitano's office and the National Rifle Association to allow ammunition to be moved if exposed to "dangerous conditions."
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, called the amendment a good idea.
An almost-identical bill sponsored by Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler, was approved 22-8 by the Senate last week.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
