News Release: Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Seeks Dismissal of City of Charleston Lawsuit Challenging State Gun Law CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey today announced that his Office filed motions to intervene in and dismiss a Kanawha County Circuit Court lawsuit concerning a state law that seeks to ensure firearm laws are applied uniformly across the state. The Office’s motions say the City of Charleston’s lawsuit should be dismissed because the City did not sue anyone. Instead, the City asks the Circuit Court judge to render an opinion on the “validity” and “construction” of the law, which passed by overwhelming, bipartisan majorities of the Legislature and was signed by the Governor. The Office contends that request violates basic court rules. “The City of Charleston violated the most basic court rule: that there has to be conflict between two parties. In this lawsuit, it is the City of Charleston versus no one,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “The City may have questions regarding the new law, but this is not the correct method to seek those kinds of answers. The Legislature stated its intention to create uniform rules relating to citizens’ Second Amendment rights; the City’s actions disregard basic court rules by which everyone must abide. While laws pertaining to citizens’ gun rights sometimes spark strong reactions, the rule of law — and not emotions — must always be followed.” To read the full release, please go here: bit.ly/1gMCGio
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:23:01 +0000