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32 <br /> 10 <br /> opinion would be advisory only and ultimately the legality of any <br /> ordinance would be determined through the Courts.' <br /> III . USE OF EXISTING LAWS AND IXPOSITION OF MORE SEVERE <br /> SENTENCES FOR GUN RELATED OFFENSES <br /> The Town Council may wish to consider supporting, through local law <br /> enforcement agencies, the Task Force on Violent Crime and ' Drug <br /> Abuse, the Courts, and in cooperation with other governments and <br /> public institutions, use of existing laws and imposition of more <br /> severe penalties for violation of laws and ordinances where weapons <br /> are involved, both in terms of punishment and confiscation of <br /> weapons. The attached March, 1990, memorandum identifies some of <br /> the criminal laws related to use or possession of weapons. <br /> Recommendation: That Council hear public comment and consider this <br /> matter further. <br /> Attachments: <br /> 1. April 13, 1992 Memorandum to Mayor and Council on Firearm <br /> Regulation <br /> 2 . March 26, 1990 Memorandum to Mayor and Council on Firearm <br /> Regulation <br /> 3 . 1990 Article on State v. Fennell from M.C. Lay Review <br /> 4 . August 23, 1993 Letter from Moore and Van Allen Attorneys at <br /> Law <br /> s The Town has received a letter from a law firm offering to <br /> provide legal assistance, without charge, to defend the Town in the <br /> event a lawsuit is filed challenging the Council's enactment of an <br /> ordinance regulating or banning handgun possession. A copy of that <br /> letter is attached to this report. Such assistance would be <br /> helpful in the event the Council enacts an ordinance that is later <br /> subject to legal challenge. It would not be appropriate, in my <br /> opinion, for the Council to alter its judgment as to what is a <br /> proper ordinance on the basis of such an offer. <br />