A State that has the right idea..

[taz-2005]

http://www.fox12news.com/Global/story.asp?S=5437033

Greenleaf, Idaho -- All Americans have the right to bear arms. Some towns have even gone as far as to require each household to have a gun. Now a small Idaho town is contemplating a similar idea-- it's called the Civil Emergencies Ordinance. And although gun ownership is just one piece of this ordinance, it's the part that's getting the most attention.

"We've blessed to be a fairly rural area of the state, so we don't have a lot of crime and I think we'd like to keep it that way," said Lee Belt, Greenleaf city clerk.

Drive about 10 minutes west of Caldwell and you'll run into Greenleaf, Idaho, population 860. If city council member Steve Jett has his way, each head of household that can legally own a gun, will. Along with that they're encouraged to have ammunition and appropriate training.

"I think the city council is hoping it will happen and that it will be a deterrent to crime as the city and region increases in population," said Belt.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after a similar plan that went into place in 1982 in Kennesaw, Ga. In that instance there was a dramatic decrease in criminal activity. Although crime isn't a huge problem for residents of Greenleaf, the growth in neighboring counties leads them to believe they too are in for some changes.

"There's not a lot of crime here, but I think it's coming, it's getting worse everyday," said Art Bailey, owner of the Greenleaf Store.

While the plan does encourages firearm ownership, the ordinance goes beyond that.

"The largest part itself deals with emergency capabilities," said Belt.

The plan will establish an emergency response plan, and promote its citizen response teams and neighborhood watch volunteer groups, a proactive approach to keep the crime rate to a minimum. So how have residents responded? According to almost everyone we spoke to, they already owned a gun or multiple guns, so this would have no effect on them either way.

"I don't know if it is good for every household, but we being hunters have always had guns," said Bonnie Cagle, a Greenleaf resident.

"I think it is an excellent idea," said Bailey. "If the citizens are armed were not at a disadvantage."

We did ask to speak with the city council member who proposed the ordinance but he was out of town. In November, the council will decide whether or not to adopt the ordinance.

 

[dwarven1]

I wanna move to Idaho...

 

[runJonnyrun]

Oh yeah! Me too! Not too mention I just *love* potatoes!

 

[Martlet]

So it will require homes to have a gun, or am I understanding it wrong? I just hate being "required" to do anything.

 

[Twigg]

I'm gonna send that to Deval Patrick !

 

[jwilson]

I love Idaho

 

[KMaurer]

So it will require homes to have a gun, or am I understanding it wrong? I just hate being "required" to do anything.

If it's modeled on the original Kennisaw, Georgia statute, then it'll have a "conscientious objector" exemption. OTOH, I notice that Morton Grove, IL, DC, and all those other self-righteous little cesspools don't have a similar exemption for those whose religious beliefs require them to be armed.

Ken

 

[SKS Ray]

Idaho.... Its all good if you enjoy living in the middle of nothing.

 

[SiameseRat]

Seriously, there are 860 people on my BLOCK. I could not live with that few people. Though I'd probably become an expert markswoman since I'd have nothing to do but cook, clean and shoot.

 

[Executive]

I'd probably become an expert markswoman since I'd have nothing to do but cook, clean and shoot.

Then you'd be the perfect woman, SR! Not that you're not great now, that is. And if my wife ever reads this I'll have lots of splaining to do...


Chris

 

[KMaurer]

Moscow, Idaho - 2000 pop. 21,291, median home price $133,900
University of Idaho in town
~10 miles to Pullman, WA & Washington State University

Westford, Massachusetts - 2000 pop. 20,754, median home price $278,500
~10 miles to Lowell & University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Difference in politics in general and gun laws in particular - priceless!
(And this considering that Westford issues only unrestricted LTC-A to all applicants not disqualified by statute)

Ken

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I lived in Idaho, and loved it. I lived around Mt. Home. 40 miles to go anywhere. Rents were cheap at the time too. Don't know about now. Catered to the military there. Nice dry heat, still cool at night, and snow in the winter. Best of both world for me.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

Seriously, there are 860 people on my BLOCK. I could not live with that few people. Though I'd probably become an expert markswoman since I'd have nothing to do but cook, clean and shoot.

Small town are great to live, just in Idaho you do have to travel aways to get anywhere. I'm not a city person either.

 

[dwarven1]

Seriously, there are 860 people on my BLOCK. I could not live with that few people.

I could. The more people I meet, the more I love my cat!

Seriously, I can't stand cities. How can you city folk STAND to have so many people packed in with you?? Marlboro is the biggest city I'd ever consider living in... and Worcester is much more to my taste for working than Boston. (Wouldn't want to live there, though.)

My cousin lives near Cobleskill, NY - serious farm country. I loved visiting out there...

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I'm with you Ross. Glenn and I lived in the city once, Berlin. I have also lived in Seattle and some of the outskirts. As we have said been there done that, NOOOOOOOOOOO way would I ever do that again. Always been a country girl always will be, and I have no problem not having any neighbors, that is just icing on the cake for me.