Lake Worth commissioner: ‘We’re not at war’
Robinson says city has moral obligation to address a ban.
LAKE WORTH — After 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Valentine’s Day, Lake Worth Commissioner Herman Robinson has spoken at four meetings about banning assault weapons in the city.
“We’ve been almost morally bankrupt in bringing up weapons in that conversation,” Robinson said last week. “Boynton, Delray, West Palm Beach are all continuing to consider it an issue that needs to be addressed. I look forward to our commission and our city being involved in encouraging our legislators — state and national.”
Robinson told The Palm Beach Post he doesn’t think weapons of war should be in the hands of civilians.
“We’re not at war with each other,” he said. “I was in the army. I was 18. It was different walking down the street with an AR-15 across your back. The Sandy Hook (Elementary School shooting in 2012) was a horrific action and Parkland was just as horrific.”
Commissioner Omari Hardy said at Tuesday’s meeting a constituent emailed him recently, asking him to ban assault rifles in Lake Worth.
“I had to let him know the legislature made, to some extent, local elections pointless when they take the ability of cities to govern out of our hands,” Hardy said. “Legislature said cities aren’t allowed to pass local ordinance on guns. If we did, we’d be personally libel for a fine of several thousands dollars and we’d be liable for our own legal bills if someone sued. I gently had to let this gentleman down.”
Hardy said he spoke with City Manager Michael Bornstein about passing a resolution that the city can send to state Sen. Bill Galvano and Jose Olivia, a Miami Lakes Republican who will become House speaker in November, that the city supports the banning of assault rifles, not just in Lake Worth, but in the state of Florida.
“I think that’s important, although some people say it’s a state issue, national issue, it’s unimportant and not germane to the city,” Hardy said. “The fact is there are people who expect us to speak for their values.”
Other cities have recently stressed the issue as well:
■ In Royal Palm Beach, the village council recently passed a resolution calling for lawmakers to enact stricter gun measures.
■ Delray Beach and Boynton Beach called for outright bans on “military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines,” like the ones used in the Parkland shooting that killed 14 children and three adults.
■ West Palm Beach and Boca Raton passed more watered-down resolutions. West Palm wants to keep military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines away from schools and restrict the sale of assault weapons. Boca wants to enact “reasonable gun legislation,” the resolution reads.
At last week’s Lake Worth meeting, Robinson said all weapons of war should be eliminated.
“God bless all the gun owners (but) I don’t see any need for a 30-round clip to go hunting,” he said. “I’m hoping some day in the future Lake Worth will join the other leaders in taking up this issue.”
Robinson said he plans to speak on the issue again at the April 17 meeting.