City Council asks for review of a proposed ban on the 'open carry' of handguns on city property

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday asked city lawyers to review a proposed ban on the "open carry" of handguns on city property -- from offices to parks and harbors.

Earlier this year, in the wake of January's shooting rampage in Arizona, City Councilman Eric Garcetti proposed a ban that would prohibit "open carry" guns anywhere within city limits. But the city attorney's office, which had been asked to report on the feasibility and legality of a citywide ban, recommended a ban on city property only.

The council on Wednesday also voted to direct its lobbyists to press the Legislature to pass a bill that would ban open-carry statewide. California law allows residents to carry unloaded handguns in a visible place, such as a holster.

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) would reverse that law and prohibit civilians from carrying exposed handguns in any public place. Violators could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Suzanne Verge, the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said that she was hopeful that the state bill would be passed, and did not mind that the council had scaled back its previous proposal for a citywide ban.

"I'm optimistic that we'll get the open-carry ban passed at the state level, so I'm not disappointed," Verge said.

ALSO:

Provision streamlining gun permits for elected officials is stricken from bill

-- Kate Linthicum at Los Angeles City Hall



Comments

[J Baustian]

Crime rates decline whenever and wherever law-abiding citizens are openly carrying firearms, as this deters both armed and unarmed criminals. Perhaps the politicians in Los Angeles have forgotten, but the attack in Tucson was ended by civilians, not police.

[ergie]

And once a ban is in place, in direct violation of state and federal supreme court rulings that say an individual has "the right to self protection and the priviledge of police protection" those rulings shall be deemed infringed, and the police and the gonvernment entities shall then be legally responsible for protecting citizens, including all criminal and civil liability for failure to protect. All the thinking people have unanamously said that making California a "Shall Issue" state and allowing law abiding citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon to protect themselves would greatly reduce violent crimes against persons. Anthony Portantino is now on notice that he is jointly and severably responsible for infringing upon citizens ajudicated "right" to defend themselves.

[umwut]

IF you do not trust us with our guns, why should we trust you with our government?! Weren't politicians pushing to be allowed to carry concealed? Good enough for you, but not for us, eh?

[me]

You feeble minded Liberals. Take our freedoms and we will fight. Conjure ol King George - ask him how well your liberal ideologies we received when faced with freedom.

[christina]

Someone carrying an exposed gun. That person did not shoot anyone or commit a crime.

"Violators could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine."

An example of another extreme penalty.

[Michiganslater]

Taking our right s one at a time.

[M Marotta]

This is SO unconstitutional
and violation of the 2nd amendment.

[u know]

This is dumb. What would be the purpose of carrying an unloaded weapon?

Couldn't a robber just come up to you and rob you of your unloaded gun? Or perhaps you can try and scare him with it...

[Montana Gold-]

More guns less crime, simply statistics. I say fire this man, and hire a responsible gun owner. They trust criminal cops, but not the same citizens who don't wear a clown suit and a badge? Self loathing pathetic shrew, fire him.

[Mcgibby]

L.A is the Wild West, so I would think it only fashionable to have your 6-shooter on your hip. Boo on the ban!

[dangermouse]

That makes sense! So, ammunition and guns restrictions should be lifted since everyone will abide by gun free zones, right?

I feel safer already!

[Kev K]

CM Eric Garcetti, AM Portantino, Brady, and Verge are all morons - They think that prohibiting "Open Carry" will prevent shooting rampages like Arizona to occur? They think that this will prevent assassination attempts like the one on President Reagan ? They think that unfortunate shootings like the one on Mr. Brady would somehow have been prevented? How???? The thugs and criminals will continue to conceal their loaded weapons and continue with their crimes. Prohibiting "Open Carry" just hurts the law abiding American citizen and does nothing to deter the criminals. It forces law abiding Americans to rely solely on the Police and armed forces to protect themselves and their loved ones against those thugs and criminals.
All it does is disarms the law abiding Americans and empowers the thugs and criminals.
You want to see crime go down, cut down on all this gun bureacracy, and preserve our 2nd amendment right to bear arms. - this is what I propose:
1. Everyone needs to go through an extensive course and background check before owning a handgun or rifle. I believe this should be as extensive as getting a driver's license. One needs to learn how to shoot, how to handle, how to clean, and how to store a weapon.
2. After which, one should have a right to carry a loaded weapon. Concealed or Unconcealed.
3. The maximum caliber should be limited to 50 caliber so folks don't start collecting tanks and grenade launchers as a means of protection.
4. There should be no bans on Automatic weapons or any type of ammunition. Also there should be no limits on # of guns or # of ammunitions.
5. All guns need to be registered. Large fines paid by the owner if guns are lost, stolen, or fall into the hands of children.
6. No limitations as to where you can carry a gun. Yes no limits - state/national parks, municipalities, schools, airports, trains, and planes.