Smart Talk: Gun groups sue Lancaster and Harrisburg; Susquehanna Art Museum re-opens

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, January 15, 2014:

The cities of Harrisburg and Lancaster are being sued by gun rights groups over their local gun ordinances.

Pennsylvania has long barred local municipalities from enacting gun laws that restrict the ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of guns or ammunition. 

Several municipalities across the state — mostly cities — adopted laws anyway saying they were needed to reduce gun violence or illegal guns.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly approved a bill last year that would allow gun owners who aren’t impacted by the local ordinances to challenge them.  That law went into effect last week.

As a result, the National Rifle Association is suing the city of Lancaster and Texas-based U.S. Law Shield is going to court against the city of Harrisburg claiming the cities’ gun ordinances violate state law.

One of the local laws being challenged requires gun owners to report lost or stolen guns.

Lancaster Mayor Rick Mayor joins us on Smart Talk to respond.

Also, there’s excitement in central Pennsylvania’s arts and education communities over the long-awaited re-opening of the Susquehanna Art Museum at 1401 North Third Street in Harrisburg’s Midtown.   There’s a new exhibition that marks the occasion too.

Appearing on the program are Laurene Buckley, Executive Director, Susquehanna Art Museum and Lauren Nye, Exhibitions Manager.