Local News in Brief : Put Down Your Toy
A Santa Monica ban on the sale of toy guns that look like the real thing will take effect on the busiest shopping day of the year, Christmas Eve.
The Santa Monica City Council gave final approval Tuesday night to an ordinance outlawing devices made of plastic, wood or metal resembling a pistol, revolver, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, rifle, machine gun, rocket launcher “or any other firearm.” The measure, approved 6 to 1, takes effect in 30 days.
The lone dissenter, Councilwoman Christine Reed, said she opposed the measure because she believes that a ban at the “small-city” level is senseless.
Toy guns that can’t be confused with the real thing--for example, those made of brightly colored plastic--would still be legal under the ordinance.
Violators could be fined up to $500 and receive up to six months in jail.
Burbank banned the toys earlier this year, and on Nov. 10 the Los Angeles City Council ordered the drafting of an ordinance to ban the sale and manufacture of toy guns in the city.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
