Wild Child
New member
I found this on another board. It seem that little by little common people in Kalifornia are going to lose the right to protect themselves. Why is it the only solution that the politions come come up with is to BAN what they don't like?
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Here's a news item from San Francisco Chronicle of 9/22/99:
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Oakland Panel Backs Ultra-Compact Gun Curb
Janine DeFao, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, September 22, 1999
An Oakland City Council committee yesterday approved a measure that would make the city the first in the state, and perhaps the nation, to limit the sale of `ultra-compact'' handguns.
These pocket-size guns, some of which fire large-caliber ammunition, do not fall under city or state ``junk gun'' bans because they are better made and can sell for more than $400.
The new measure, which probably will be considered by the entire council next month, would limit the sale of ultra-compact handguns to the few people who already have concealed-weapons permits.
``If people are buying these guns, it's for one purpose: to hide them,'' said Councilman Henry Chang, who removed a paper replica of one such gun from his shirt pocket during a meeting of the public safety committee.
The committee also approved a measure that would ban minors from gun stores, unless the guns are kept in a separate area not accessible to juveniles. Under state law, people under 18 years old cannot buy any gun, while those between 18 and 21 cannot buy handguns.
While Oakland has only one gun store, Chang said he hopes the legislation will have greater impact by involving the 26 communities in the East Bay Public Safety Corridor Partnership, as was done when Oakland passed its junk-gun ban in 1996.
The partnership has already approved in concept the limit on ultra- compact handguns, said deputy director Linda Lustig.
Gun-rights supporters are predicting a lawsuit, saying the ordinance oversteps a city's authority because gun licensing and regulation fall under the state's purview.
``It's just a ploy to put gun businesses out of business, period,'' said Eric Fisher, a buyer at Siegle's Hunting and Fishing, Oakland's only gun store. ``We'll see them in court.''
``They can come and sue us,'' countered Chang. ``I can make a good case.''
Gun-control advocates praised Oakland for continued leadership on local gun-control measures.
``I'm hoping a number of cities will quickly follow Oakland's lead,'' said Luis Tolley, Western director for the national gun-control group Handgun Control. Los Angeles also is looking at a similar regulation, he said.
Tolley said his organization has tried unsuccessfully since 1986 to pass limits on ultra-compact guns at the state level.
But Gov. Gray Davis' signing of a statewide junk-gun ban in August, after 44 California cities and counties had done so, provides momentum for local communities to drive state law, Tolley said.
``There is a lot to be said in my view for Oakland or any other city to do as much as they can as often as they can to bring the gun under control,'' said Andrew McGuire, executive director of the San Francisco-based Bell Campaign, a grassroots gun-control group that works with survivors of gun violence.
But Fisher and a state National Rifle Association official called Oakland's move yet another attempt by government to create new gun laws when those on the books are not adequately enforced.
``It's not going to stop the criminals from getting guns,'' said Ed Worley, the rifle association's California grassroots coordinator.
He said some people favor the compact guns not because they are concealable, but because they are lighter and easier to handle for small-stature people, particularly women.
He also said the ordinance will not stop people from illegally carrying concealed weapons because one can easily hide a larger gun in a briefcase or backpack.
Gun-store buyer Fisher agreed. He said the ban on minors in gun stores also would hurt his business because it also sells fishing equipment and would have to remodel to separate guns from the rest of the store.
``We already go above and beyond the call of duty'' to make sure gun sales are legal, he said.
--------------------------------------------
Here's a news item from San Francisco Chronicle of 9/22/99:
* * * * *
Oakland Panel Backs Ultra-Compact Gun Curb
Janine DeFao, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, September 22, 1999
An Oakland City Council committee yesterday approved a measure that would make the city the first in the state, and perhaps the nation, to limit the sale of `ultra-compact'' handguns.
These pocket-size guns, some of which fire large-caliber ammunition, do not fall under city or state ``junk gun'' bans because they are better made and can sell for more than $400.
The new measure, which probably will be considered by the entire council next month, would limit the sale of ultra-compact handguns to the few people who already have concealed-weapons permits.
``If people are buying these guns, it's for one purpose: to hide them,'' said Councilman Henry Chang, who removed a paper replica of one such gun from his shirt pocket during a meeting of the public safety committee.
The committee also approved a measure that would ban minors from gun stores, unless the guns are kept in a separate area not accessible to juveniles. Under state law, people under 18 years old cannot buy any gun, while those between 18 and 21 cannot buy handguns.
While Oakland has only one gun store, Chang said he hopes the legislation will have greater impact by involving the 26 communities in the East Bay Public Safety Corridor Partnership, as was done when Oakland passed its junk-gun ban in 1996.
The partnership has already approved in concept the limit on ultra- compact handguns, said deputy director Linda Lustig.
Gun-rights supporters are predicting a lawsuit, saying the ordinance oversteps a city's authority because gun licensing and regulation fall under the state's purview.
``It's just a ploy to put gun businesses out of business, period,'' said Eric Fisher, a buyer at Siegle's Hunting and Fishing, Oakland's only gun store. ``We'll see them in court.''
``They can come and sue us,'' countered Chang. ``I can make a good case.''
Gun-control advocates praised Oakland for continued leadership on local gun-control measures.
``I'm hoping a number of cities will quickly follow Oakland's lead,'' said Luis Tolley, Western director for the national gun-control group Handgun Control. Los Angeles also is looking at a similar regulation, he said.
Tolley said his organization has tried unsuccessfully since 1986 to pass limits on ultra-compact guns at the state level.
But Gov. Gray Davis' signing of a statewide junk-gun ban in August, after 44 California cities and counties had done so, provides momentum for local communities to drive state law, Tolley said.
``There is a lot to be said in my view for Oakland or any other city to do as much as they can as often as they can to bring the gun under control,'' said Andrew McGuire, executive director of the San Francisco-based Bell Campaign, a grassroots gun-control group that works with survivors of gun violence.
But Fisher and a state National Rifle Association official called Oakland's move yet another attempt by government to create new gun laws when those on the books are not adequately enforced.
``It's not going to stop the criminals from getting guns,'' said Ed Worley, the rifle association's California grassroots coordinator.
He said some people favor the compact guns not because they are concealable, but because they are lighter and easier to handle for small-stature people, particularly women.
He also said the ordinance will not stop people from illegally carrying concealed weapons because one can easily hide a larger gun in a briefcase or backpack.
Gun-store buyer Fisher agreed. He said the ban on minors in gun stores also would hurt his business because it also sells fishing equipment and would have to remodel to separate guns from the rest of the store.
``We already go above and beyond the call of duty'' to make sure gun sales are legal, he said.