The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-15
CANNOT DEAL IN !
SECOND HAND GUNS
Hastings Court Upholds What Is
Known As the "Pawnbrokers'
Ordinance Measure Is
Observation-Disclosures
Backed New Law.


r H NJ o N D, VA.-SpeciaI.-
Traffic in pistols and other deadly
weapons was declared illegal by Judge
Witt in the Hastings Court this morn
ing when he unequivocally upheld the
city ordinance recently passed pro-
hibiting the sale of pawned pistols.
dirks, slungshots, bowie-knives ana
razors.
The ordinance was approved by
Mayor Richardson last April, but
when the police attempted to enforce
IT the pawnbrokers immediately con-
tested its cOnsttutionality and brought
suit in the Hastings Court The suit
was in title against Commissioner of
Revenue Hawkins to compel him to
authorize the pawnbrokers TO sell the
articles forbidden by the ordinance.
In delivering his opinion Judge
Witt, though not having prepared a
formal statement, gave his reasons in
clear and concise manner, leaving
no doubt as to his construction of the
laws covering the subject.
The sale of deadly weapons is a.
matter which should be under the
strictest police supervision declared
the judge, and as the ordinance in
question is designed to prevent the
indiscriminate traffic in pistols and
other weapons, and is measure
drawn to further public safety, it
should be, and must be. rigidly en-
forced by the police. The ordinance
is approved"
Attorneys representing the pawn
brokers will probably take the case
TO the Supreme Court of Appeals. 1t
is known that the pawnshops of this
city do tremendous business in re-
ceiving and disposing of pistols, ra-
zors and knives. their annual net
earnings from such traffic running, it
is estimated, well into the thousands
OF dollars.
Police Statistics.
The police recently discovered that
the pawnshops sold nearly 800 pistols
last Christmas Eve. and estimates
made from the police records show
that the pawnbrokers sold last year
between 1000 and 5000 pistols, be-
sides hundreds Of dirks and knives
statistics OF crime show that over
20 per cent. Of homicides committed
in the United States are committed
With pistols in the hands os people
already known to the police as be-
longing TO the dangerous or criminal
element.
According to conditions prevailing
before the ordinance was passed any
negro, regardless OF his reputation.
could buy a pistol from any Of the
local pawnshops which kept attractive
displays OF such weapons in their win
dows and showcases.
Ihere are now eleven paWnshops i'm
Richmond. All of them up TO this
time have been receiving and selling
deadly weapons, and have been pro-
tected by law. Four hardware stores
were accorded the privileges of SELL
ing pistols and knives, but il is doubt
full If all the hardware stores put to-
gether sold as many pistols in the
last twelve months as the smallest of
the eleven pawnshops soldNin half that
time.
To receive or sell any of the weap-
ons mentioned in the ordinance unless
a special permit is procured from the
police department. Major Werner,
chief of the local police force. said
TINS morning that once in his life he
had recommended that Il permit to
procure and carry pistol be issued.
but that the events OF the following
twelve hours induced him to ask
Judge Witt to revoke the license the
next morning. Never again. he de-
clared, would he issue a permit or
recommend that anyone else issue it.
Text of Ordinance.
The full text of the ordinance as
Council, signed by the Mayor and up
held by Judge Witt this morning, is as
follows:
AN ORDINANCE
(Approved April Is, 1919
To prohibit pawnbrokers from receiv-
ing' purchasing or. disposing of any
o 6ssa6iy weapon, and to prohibit mer-
chants, dealers in secondhand
articles of other persons. from SELL
ing or otherwise disposing OF any
such weapons without first obtaining
a permit to do so from the Chief OF
Police of the city of Richmond.
BE II ordained by the Council of the
city of Richmond
i. That 1t shall be unlawful for any
licensed pawnbroker, or other person
security, pledge or pawn, or to pur-
chase, sell, loan or hire any pistol, dirk.
bowie knife, razor, Slungshot or any
weapon OF like kind, and IL shall like
wise be unlawful for any licensed mer-
chant, dealer in secondhand articles
dispose OF anV such THeapon wifhn;,t
nrst having obtained a permit from the
Chief Of Police of the city of Richmond
authorizing such merchant, dealer or
person to purchase or sell such weapon
Any person violating the provisions OF
TINS section shall be liable to a fine
or not less than five nor more than
twenty-five dollars for each offense.
recoverable before the Police Justice of
the city of Richmond.
2 This ordinance ha Foroo