Columbus , Ohio Councilmen Mike Mentel is leading the charge to enact a city-wide assault weapons ban. This is the city’s third try at such a ban as similar laws were struck down in 1994 and 1999 by the 6 th Circuit Court of Appeals. As is the case with bans of this type Councilmen Mental touts his ill-conceived law as a way to keep the police and citizenry safe from evil looking rifles.

Further intrigue is created by the possibility that Councilmen Mentel’s proposed ordinance will cost Columbus the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention scheduled to take place at the Columbus Convention Center in 2007. Ohio and Columbus in particular have not benefited from the nation’s economic rebound and the estimated $2 million dollars in revenue that would be generated is desperately needed.

Adding to the financial cost to the city is the certainty that gun advocacy groups will file a legal challenge once the ban is enacted which will force the city to bear the cost of defending an ordinance opposed by the citizens of Columbus . Full Story »