California Legislative Alert - March 11, 2001

During the next few weeks, in a move to gain momentum for further statewide restrictions on ammunition and firearm purchases, first the Los Angeles City Police Commission, then the LA Public Safety Committee ("PSC") and finally the LA City Council are scheduled to consider several ordinances that, if passed, will completely prohibit or dramatically restrict law abiding citizens` ability to purchase or possess ammunition and firearms.

These ludicrous laws are being promoted primarily by Councilmember and City Attorney candidate Michael Feuer, who has timed these ordinances to coincide with his election campaign, and who has announced his intention to get ordinances passed in as many cities as possible, and then passed at the state level. Thus, although the Council members take calls from city residents the most seriously, even if you don`t live in the City of Los Angeles you will be impacted, and should take action to let them know why you oppose these proposals!

On Monday, March 19^th, the PSC (the Police Commission already approved this one, with no advance notice) is scheduled to vote on an "ultra compact handgun" ordinance that will ban the sale, transfer, loan, or gift of any handgun that was not at least 6 3/4" long and 4 1/2" high (file no. 99-1580). Private party transfers are not exempted. As written, this ordinance would even make it illegal to momentarily loan these firearms to a friend at the range. It also seriously impacts the ability of disabled shooters and women in particular, who sometimes are not be able to handle larger firearms, to be able to target shoot or use a firearm for self-defense. If passed, the full City Council could vote on the ordinance as soon as Wednesday, March 21^st.

In early April, Feuer intends to introduce a package of "smart" gun proposals by the City`s handgun control "Task Force," reports the March 11, 2001 Los Angeles Times. (The 3/11/01 Times editorial board also endorsed Feuer for City Attorney. This is the same editorial board that called for a ban on private firearm possession in its December 12, 1993 issue.) Feuer`s "dumb, dumber, and dumbest" gun ban scheme would ban the sale of any gun without an internal lock within the next year or so, the sale of any gun without a magnetic ring unlocking device within the next two years or so, and the sale of any gun without a fingerprint identification unlocking device within the next three years or so. Since this technology does not exist or is completely unreliable, under this scheme the City is effectively planning to ban handguns altogether.

The proposed ordinances are posted at www.nraila.org under the "State and Local" section. You can monitor the City Council`s schedule at www.cityofla.org, or by calling Councilmember Miscikowski, Chair of the PSC and currently a strong supporter of the proposals. Please call and write the PSC members (asterisked), the Police Commission ((213) 485-3531; www.lapdonline.org/organization/bpc), and the rest of the City Council and their Legislative Deputies (listed below, call bold names first) to ask questions, get current copies of the ordinances, track and confirm hearing dates (which may change on short notice), get hearing locations and directions, and voice your opposition repeatedly as the ordinances progress. Attend and speak at the hearing(s) if possible.

Also call Mayor Richard Riordan`s office at (213) 847-3573 or (213) 847-3574 and urge him to oppose and veto the ordinances.

As you may know, a number of gun control measures have taken root in Los Angeles and gone on to be passed state wide in Sacramento. These include bans on affordable self-defense handguns, one-gun-a-month limitations, trigger lock laws, bans on magazines that hold over 10 rounds, ammunition restrictions, and more. In fact, there is a "smart" gun bill (AB 1219 - Frommer) like the LA proposal in Sacramento right now! That is why it is vital that the pro-self-defense community both in the city proper and throughout the state work to stop these onerous proposals.

Your freedoms depend on everyone`s involvement! MAKE THE CALLS!