|
To SaveOurGuns.com
The Oakland Tribune Friday, January 28, 2000 4:10 AM MST
Lawmakers propose ban on sale of small guns
By Kathleen Kirkwood
STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND -- Oakland Vice Mayor Henry Chang and San Francisco Supervisor Alicia
Becerril on Thursday unveiled proposed legislation banning sales of small,
high-quality handguns that are expected to become popular alternatives to
outlawed junk guns.
The twin laws, to be introduced Monday in San Francisco and Tuesday in
Oakland, would be the first in the nation to ban guns based on size and to
target those well-made weapons that cannot be banned under junk gun laws.
Both jurisdictions also will consider laws banning children, as well as
parolees and felons, from stores that sell guns.
Although such handguns have not yet become a problem -- the technology is
just catching up -- Chang said it is logical to assume they soon will be:
studies show criminals prefer concealable handguns in committing crimes, and if
junk guns are not available, they will buy the higher-end product, he said.
Becerril, a former Oakland resident who has lived in San Francisco for four
years, said the sale of such guns serves no public purpose.
"Ultracompact weapons are small and deadly and are not designed for
sporting or self-defense," she said.
"Now is the time to act and prevent a deluge of these weapons from
hitting our streets."
Handguns sold could be no less than 63/4 inches in length and 41/2 inches in
height, under the proposed laws.
Officials from both cities admitted they are bracing for legal challenges
from gun supporters. But they say that also is part of the strategy. If the laws
are adopted and successfully defended in the two cities -- whose legal resources
are relatively strong -- the hope is other cities will follow suit.
Such cities would include San Leandro, where Trader's, the largest retail
outlet for guns in Northen California, is located, and Daly City, which hosts an
annual gun show.
Garry Loeffler, a San Leandro City Council member, appeared with Chang and
Becerril at an Oakland news conference, saying he is supportive of the ban.
But he is not ready to introduce a law in his city until it has been tested
in Oakland and San Francisco.
There is one gun retailer each (note - computer
version ended here - article was not complete in its electronic version).
STAFF WRITER Robert Gammon contributed to this report.
© 2000 by MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
TO MAIN PAGE
| 
