Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-24
Prohibitive Laws Needed.

Many congressman know what gun
lighting is; they come from sections
where the problem has been a serious
one and has been solved by prOhibitive
laws Some of them say that Wash
ington's ordinances on the subject are
too loose, and that the one thing to
put an end 10 the promiscuous habit
of carrying a pistol is to frame law
which makes gun tOter face peni-
tentiary term, with absolutely no eX-
Ceptions.
Representative Sims of Tennessee,
who for several years has been behind
bill to prevent pistol toting, gun
OF concealed weapon dangers, told a
Star reporter today that he had every
intention to push his bill
ITO carry a weapon should be made
felony" he said, "and II it is made a
felony for crook to carry a weapon
then the honest men who fear the
crooks will not have to pack a gun in
their pockets because crooks will know
penitentiary is awaiting them for the
simple crime Of having a weapon in
their possession
'Tt Is foolishness to think a man
must carry a gun. 1t is a deadly crime
20 allow them to stay around loaded.
! have endeavored at several sessions
Of Congress to get through a bill to
prevent the carrying of weapons. and
L
keep on trying and / believe 1 will sue
ceed"
Text of the Sims Bill.
The Sims bill, which passed with
amendments which altered and weak
ened it, at the previous session of
Congress. and which is again intro
duced. reads as follows:
That 1t shall be unlawful for any per-
Columbia TO have concealed about their
person or TO carry openly any pistol
bowie knife. dirk or dirk knife black
Jack, dagger, sword cane. slung shot,
brass or other metal knuckle and any
person or persons having any of said
weapons or instruments concealed about
the person or carrying the same openly
N the District Of Columbia shall be
deemed guilty Of felony, and upon con-
viction thereof shall be imprisoned in the
| renitentiary for not less than one year
| nor more than three years:
Provided. That prosecutions urder this
act shall be had by indictment in the Su-
preme Court of the District Of Columbia :
"And provided further. That the Off
GERS non-commissioned officers and pri-
Yates of the United States Army. Navy or
Marine Corps. police officers. officers
guarding prisoners. officials Of the
United States or the District of Column
. hia engaged in the execution of the laws
! >or the protection of persons or property.
when any such persons are on duty, shall
not be liable under this act
This bill was drawn up for Mr.. Sims BY
! CORPORATION Counsel Thomas. AS il is
q drastic measure. covering every form OF
gun toting y weapon Juggling. II attract
ed wide. comment at the time il was in
troduced. The Commissioners, however,
when asked to report upon the bill. asked
that II be changed so that it would per-
NIT of pistol licenses being issued Mem
hers OF the District committee interviewed
hA SfF ssiN
The opinion that they can see no reason
for licensing any one to carry pistol il
The anti-pistol carrying laws are to be
strictly enforced.
Weakened and Passed.
The Sims pistol toting bill was reported
from the District committee last session
with the word Openly taken from it,
leaving the felony confined 10 the carry
ing OF weapons concealed. When it reach
ed the floor many members ef the House
PLAYED foot ball with it, amended IT,
weakened IL and passed it, but was not
nearly so strong as il was when il came
from Representative Johnson's commit
tee and was 50 much changed that Mr.
Johnson was under the necessity of yot-
ing against II amended
However. 1t was pistol totinS bill and
i went to the Senate, where il died I'm
Committee. If this bill should be taken
up by the present House District com
r2ittee and there is every chance for IT'S
early consideration il will probably be
repcrted favorably with the word open
"" eft out again. However, there can
BE- no legislation on the subject this ses-
sion according TO the caucus rule un-
less special permission is obtained from
the caucus.
The second Sims bill prohibits the sale
ex, hange or giving away OF pistols bowie
Knives. dirkS blackjacks or any other
sort of dangerous and deadly weapons
under penalty of Imprisonment of from
Elk months TO a year, and also fine OF
Slpp to 500.