Police, Gang Members Alike Doubt Ban’s Effectiveness

As Los Angeles gun dealers prepared to clear their shelves of assault-type weapons, several police officers, gang workers and gang members predicted Tuesday that a controversial ban on those guns passed by the Los Angeles City Council will do little to reduce local violence.

“It’ll be the law-abiding citizens who’ll turn their guns in, not the criminals,” said one veteran officer. “And if the bad guys can’t get these guns in Los Angeles, they’ll just get them somewhere else, either on the street or from a dealer in another town.”

There are dozens of retail gun stores in Los Angeles County, the majority of which are outside the city of Los Angeles and would not be affected by the council’s action. Many sell assault weapons on a regular basis.

While the ordinance appeared certain to be challenged in court, opponents and proponents of gun control continued to debate the law’s practical effects.

Given the availability of AK-47s and Uzis in neighboring communities and elsewhere, the City Council’s intention to prohibit the sale or possession of such firearms was viewed by many beyond City Hall as little more than a hollow, albeit well-meaning gesture. Some proponents of gun control, however, were optimistic.

‘A Terrific Thing’

“We think it’s a terrific thing that they’re doing,” said Luis Tolley, director of Californians Against Handgun Violence. “Even if it proves to be merely symbolic, it’s still a very important message that’s being sent to the state Legislature,” where bills to ban assault weapons statewide are pending.

Tolley said he believes that the ultimate solution to the assault weapon issue is a national ban, but he conceded that the effects of such a law would take time.

“What we’re trying to do is dry up the market. One of these Crips (gang members) can escape from prison and go in and buy one of these weapons. . . . Ultimately, no new weapons will be on the market.”

Los Angeles Police Detective Jimmy L. Trahin, who has spent 10 years in the department’s Firearms and Explosives Unit, said he has seen a “500%” proliferation of assault weapons in recent years but nonetheless categorized the ban imposed Tuesday as “an overreaction” by the council.

“If they want to do something, don’t attack the gun, attack the guy who’se using it in a crime,” Trahin said. He said laws should be passed tacking on additional prison terms to individuals who commit violence while armed with assault-type weapons.

“Where do you draw the line between good guns and bad guns?” he asked rhetorically. “What about the pistol-grip shotgun? It’s perfectly legal, and those are a lot more deadly than the AK-47.”

A young member of the Crips Four Trey gang in South-Central Los Angeles agreed with those who are pessimistic about the effectiveness of the Los Angeles ordinance.

Rick (Li’l Loc 2) Hardson, 18, said assault weapons are readily available on the street from cocaine addicts for as little as $30.

“They (gang members) need them to spray a crowd,” he said. “If they shot with a revolver, they feel like they’ll get shot back. They want something like an Uzi. . . .”

As for the ordinance making it a misdemeanor to possess such a weapon, Hardson said:

“They’ll say, ‘Well, a gun is illegal. . . . So what?’ . . . Everything they do is illegal.”

V. G. Guinses, whose SEY YES organization in South-Central Los Angeles works to channel gang members into more productive activities, pointed out that most gang-related murders in Los Angeles are committed with handguns and other firearms that are not affected by the council’s ban.

“It’s a good start, but it will not stop the major killing,” Guinses said of Tuesday’s action.

‘Extensive Arsenal’

Steve Valdivia, the head of Community Youth Gang Services, agreed with Guinses that semiautomatic assault rifles are not used as frequently as other weapons in gang slayings, but he nonetheless was supportive of the council’s vote.

“I’ve been involved with gang work since 1967 and I’ve seen it go from chains and crowbars to knives to zip guns to long rifles, shotguns and now, assault rifles,” Valdivia said. “If we make the more deadly weaponry less available, then the violence will deescalate.”

He conceded, however, that “there’s enough weapons out there right now to where if you shut off sales right now, you’d still have do deal with a fairly extensive arsenal.”

Los Angeles gun dealers expressed confusion and anger over the ordinance but expressed willingness to comply--at least until the law is tested in court. Some wondered what to do with their inventory of the banned weapons.

“That’s one of the things I’ll have to take up with the City Council,” said Richard Nagler, owner of the Code 3 Supply Co. in downtown, “because (the guns) are not going to be able to go back to the distributor.”