Local : Back Weapons Ban, Van de Kamp Asks Police Chiefs in Costa Mesa

State Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp, speaking to a statewide group of police chiefs in Costa Mesa, appealed today for their support for a proposed state law banning military-style assault firearms.

Van de Kamp warned that, “if law enforcement doesn’t speak with one voice, we are likely to end up licking our wounds while the NRA (National Rifle Assn.) chortles over yet another victory.” He said he expects the state Assembly and Senate to act quickly on identical bills banning the weapons--”within the month, if possible”--and urged the chiefs to actively lobby for passage.

“Do it in memory of the five youngsters in Stockton (killed by a gunman with an assault rifle last month). Do it out of respect for your own colleagues whose lives have already been cut short by these weapons,” Van de Kamp said.

He told police chiefs that work was already under way on such a bill when the Stockton killings occurred. “That brutal crime transformed the situation,” Van de Kamp said.