Local News in Brief : Toy Gun, Smoking Laws

As expected, local ordinances banning the sale and manufacturing of toy replica weapons and on requiring non-smoking sections in restaurants with 50 or more seats were signed into law Friday by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

Bradley called toy weapons that look like the real item “dangerous, easily exploitable and potentially menacing playthings.” Later, at Bradley’s urging, the ordinance’s sponsor, Councilman Nate Holden, introduced an amendment exempting the television and motion picture industry--which make replica weapons as props--from its provisions.

In another signing ceremony, Bradley approved a law that will require, among other things, that restaurants set aside at least 50% of their service areas for non-smokers. The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Marvin Braude, also bans smoking in such public areas as indoor sports arenas, retail stores, public areas of libraries, museums and art galleries.

“Cigarette smoke is an equal-opportunity health hazard,” Bradley said. “It does not distinguish between smokers and non-smokers.”