An interesting sign I saw today in Lancaster Pa.

[Guest TankerHC]

Interesting to me because of the gun laws in Pa. Pennsylvania is the only state (That I know of) where your Carry Permit is issued an hour after you apply. I remember when my cousin got his. He applied, thought he would have to wait a few months. Had a few things to do and got home 3 hours later and there was a message on his machine to come down and pick up his permit. He said the Sheriffs Deputies treated him and the other people who were there to get their permits like royalty. Smiling, having them take several different shot for their photo, talking guns, etc. Pa. has open carry. They also have a fairly limited Castle Doctrine. You can defend yourself, period. Since 2011 you have no duty to retreat, in effect making it a Stand Your Ground law. Dwelling at that time was changed to "In Public" and your home now includes your porch, yard and garage. There is also no requirement for fear of death or injury to use deadly force. If you are being forceably removed from your home or vehicle, or you know there is an attempt at forcible entry, use deadly force. There are only 4 exceptions, if the person using deadly force is doing so in the commission of a crime, against a law enforcement officer but the law enforcement officer must be in the commission of official duties and the person using force must have known the LEO WAS in the commission of his Official duties,, against a parent or guardian coming to remove a child they are responsible for, or the person using deadly force was not allowed to be in possession of a firearm.

 

Anyway, coming into Lancaster I pass a school. While sitting at the light I look over and there is a big yellow and black sign stuck to a tree. I was going to come back to take a pic but forgot to before going back to Gettysburg. The sign read,

 

Bringing Drugs in this School Zone, minimum mandatory 2 years in State Prison.

 

Bringing Alcohol in this school zone, minimum mandatory 2 years in State Prison

 

Bringing guns in this school zone, minimum mandatory 5 years in prison.

 

I asked a Sheriffs deputy later, and this does include people with permits. I brought it up in conversation with some people later on, who live in Pa. Seems its part of a State sponsored voluntary anti drug program. And out of around 600 schools, only around 60-70 accepted participation.

 

Well thats fine, thats their laws and they chose to accept it, but 2 years for dealing drugs or bringing drugs on school property but if you have a carry permit and bring your gun you get 5?

 

But what was even more befuddling to me is this is the same County where just a few years ago a nutjob invaded an Amish one room schoolhouse, lined the female teachers and female students up against a wall and shot them, killing many.

 

Is this supposed to stop people like that? I have to wonder what the mindset is of people who think like that.

 

On a couple of side notes. Last February (I believe it was February IIRC) my cousins grandson did something in school. He is a Kindergartner, his dad was called and his dad called my cousin and told him what the deal was. They had to leave work and go to the school immediately, this kid was being punished for making a sign with his fingers that resembled a gun. He was let off with a warning, not to be scaring the other kids with gun shapes or her could be expelled. Listening to the radio tonight in MD there are 17 cases pending with this stupidity. The teenager who was kicked out of school for the same thing (Making gun fingers) and given a record had the record expunged and was allowed to return to school. Mother said the school did the right thing. Yea, after the State was threatened with a huge lawsuit.

 

Remember the pop tart kid? Chewed a pop tart in a shape that resembled a gun and was kicked out of school? Well further punishment is still pending, he was already given a 1 year suspension. Thats up here right across the state line in MD as well. There is also a high school kid who has been expelled for bringing a water gun to school. Action to get him in still pending.

 

Real stupidity.

 

 

[hipower]

Slightly off target with this Tanker, but I've been to Lancaster quite a few times. Mostly in the late 80's and early 90's. A beautiflul city with some of the friendliest folk I ever met.

 

It's a shame that an area so full of wonder and history is going to pot.

[Guest TankerHC]

Slightly off target with this Tanker, but I've been to Lancaster quite a few times. Mostly in the late 80's and early 90's. A beautiflul city with some of the friendliest folk I ever met.

 

It's a shame that an area so full of wonder and history is going to pot.

 

 

Off Target? Its right on Target.

 

Been coming here all my life. Family in Seven valleys, right up the road.

 

I agree with everything you say about Lancaster you saw in the past, and 1000 more positive things. (Except some of the changes for progress I have seen over the years). It really hasnt gone to Pot. The people are just as nice, everyone I know and everyone I meet there.

 

But the gun laws are exactly as mentioned.

 

The sign is there, its NOT posted in York, or anywhere else in Adams County, or around any other schol that I have seen, lately, and that's a lot of them I took a look at in the last few days.

 

The shooting did occur at the school in Lancaster County. And it was only a few years ago.

 

Was just extremely odd to me that  a state with such favorable gun laws would have those posted.

Edited October 18, 2013 by TankerHC

[Guest TankerHC]

I think I misunderstood what you were saying. Still misunderstanding.