First vs. Second Amendment

On Feb. 13, new District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani introduced the Free Speech Protection Act, which if passed by the full Board of Supervisors would ban firearms at public parks, public gatherings, and other First Amendment-related events in the city. The provision of city permits for the public events would be dependent upon the prohibition of firearms. Violators could face a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

“A public gathering at a public park is no place for firearms,” said Stefani. Her law is based on the idea that firearms at a location where people are exercising their First Amendment rights can lead to intimidation and suppression of free speech.

“The Second Amendment doesn’t trump the First Amendment,” Stefani said. “Your right to free speech should not be endangered by people carrying guns.”