City OKs gun theft reporting

Council adopts measure despite unanswered questions on legality

New attempts at gun control in Baltimore follow a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in which Washington, D.C.'s gun ban was ruled unconstitutional.

Baltimore's law department memo notes that the state typically has exclusive purview over local gun regulations but describes a number of narrow exceptions to that rule. For instance, the attorney general in a 1991 ruling allowed a local law requiring dealers to provide trigger locks when they sell guns.

Officials in the attorney general's office and in Dixon's administration said the formal opinion has been requested and may be ready later this summer.

The council acted on several other bills last night, including:

* Approved an amendment to the city charter to create a cabinet-level Department of General Services, which will have oversight of city-owned buildings and vehicles. The item will be on the ballot for city voters in November.

* Advanced legislation increasing the number of people who sit on the Board of Fire Commissioners from three to five. The bill faces a final vote next month.

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