Source: LA Times
Two council members want to expand on a state law to make it more difficult for people convicted of certain misdemeanors to own weapons.
Just a few weeks after the Los Angeles City Council approved a batch of new gun and ammunition ordinances tightening restrictions on ammunition vendors, council members Jack Weiss and Janice Hahn are proposing a new law that would make it more difficult for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors to own guns.
The proposal, which Weiss and Hahn plan to introduce as early as today’s council meeting, would expand on a state law that bars possession of a gun for 10 years if convicted of certain crimes, including assault, illegal weapons sales or threatening a public official or a witness.
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department reloads…L.A. council tightens gun, ammunition laws
Weiss, a candidate for city attorney in the March 3 primary election, has made gun control one of his top campaign issues.
Weiss and Hahn’s measure would add other offenses to the list, including carrying a concealed weapon, possession of an assault weapon, burglary and misdemeanor gang crimes.
Noting that there have been 138 victims of gun violence in L.A. this year, Weiss said it was “time for more aggressive and more creative measures to stop the killing.”
Hahn said the measure was intended to target gangs.
“People who commit these types of crimes have already demonstrated bad judgment, and this ordinance gives us one more tool to keep guns out of their hands and off the streets of Los Angeles,” she said.
The proposal would require council approval and legal review by the city attorney’s office before it is drafted as an ordinance.
Tags: 2nd Amendment, government, legal
goldiron
February 14th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I don’t even know how to feel about that. As a mother, I hate that there is so much gun violence. As an American, I believe the right to keep and bear arms is absolute.
By default, politicians are morally and ethically gelatinous blobs that go down easy so that the stupid among us can digest their b.s. Should these politicians be the people who determine who, aside from convicted felons, has the 2nd Amendment on their side? Are these political bullies not the ones that we, the people, have the right to form militias to protect ourselves from?
I feel that, when issues like this come to light in any city, the citizens of that city should be allowed to vote on it. Let Americans decide what is best and let the elected officials carry out the will OF THE PEOPLE.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
As a mother, you owe it to yourself and your children to educate them in the correct and safe use of weapons whether or not they shall ever use them.
February 15th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I could not agree more.
I was raised in the country, where guns are tools. My boys have been raised in the city. The most difficult thing to teach them was that guns are, in fact, tools and nothing more. As with any powerful tool, using one carelessly or for the wrong reason can result in a terribly life-altering situation for you or someone else. Simply put: The right tool for the right job.
The reason that lesson was the most difficult is due to the gun culture here in the city. Here, guns equal power. They have a life of their own. When you know someone carries a gun around here, you know they are doing it either to protect themselves, (the exception), or to be used to impose their will on others. In some parts of town, guns are gods and whole neighborhoods are their fearful servants.
As a ‘keep and bear’ fan, I am pleased beyond words that neither of my boys choose to carry a gun, though many of their friends do. If they ever choose to own/use a gun, I am comfortable knowing that their father and I have fully educated them in the responsible use of weaponry, as well as pounding their brains full of information about the human trajedy guns can leave in their wake.
Ramble over:) Happy Sunday!
March 6th, 2009 at 11:52 am
You folks are so strange. You have no problem with providing cover for the illiegals and aid to ne’r do wells, but have no problem with taking away the right to own something that will protect you. A gun in the hand is better that a phone.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:57 am
TennConfed,
Exactly what folks are you referring to as strange?
I have never provided cover for any illegals.
You, evidently, are unaware of who I am or what I do.
Relinquishing any liberties was never my strong suit.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
It’s great to know that certain laws still move to ban guns in the society.