Fearing lawsuit, Allentown repeals sections of gun ordinance

Allentown is the latest Pennsylvania city to repeal sections of its gun ordinance in an effort to avoid being sued under a new state law.

The city of Allentown is repealing sections of its gun ordinance in an effort to avoid being sued under a new Pennsylvania law.

The city council on Wednesday voted unanimously to overturn a ban on weapons in parks, reverse a prohibition on weapons on city property and end a requirement that people report when their guns are lost or stolen.

The city also is adding new language to protect the use of weapons in self-defense and to say the ordinance doesn’t apply to lawful hunting and trapping.

Allentown is just the latest city to act because of the new state law. Reading’s City Council recently voted to repeal its gun laws, while the NRA has sued Lancaster, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh over its regulations. Harrisburg is facing a lawsuit from Texas-based gun-rights group U.S. Law Shield.

A state law passed last year gives the National Rifle Association and similar groups the ability to challenge illegal gun laws.