Carson 3rd City to Ban Rapid-Firing Weapons

The city of Carson became the third municipality in Los Angeles County to outlaw semi-automatic “assault weapons,” including the AK-47 assault rifle that was used to kill five schoolchildren and injure more than two dozen others in Stockton last month.

The weapons--which allow a gunman to shoot dozens of bullets rapidly without reloading--have become increasingly popular among gangs in the southern part of Los Angeles County, according to police, and have been banned in Los Angeles and Compton.

The Carson ban, which was passed on an emergency basis Wednesday, received unanimous support from the five-member council. Councilwoman Vera Robles DeWitt, who proposed the ban, said a request by the city for gun shop owners to stop selling the rapid-firing weapons had failed to win support from all the city’s gun shops.

The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to sell or possess semi-automatic rifles that accept a magazine of 20 rounds or more.

The ban also includes sawed-off shotguns that can fire more than six rounds without reloading.

Could Be Invalidated

The council took the action despite advice from City Atty. Glenn Watson that the ordinance “would probably be invalidated” because state law preempts cities from legislating in this area.

His conclusion contrasts with the viewpoint of Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn, who said the Los Angeles ordinance banning sale and possession of assault-type weapons could be defended successfully in court.

Although the Los Angeles ordinance was strongly opposed by gun owners and the National Rifle Assn., only one person spoke in opposition to the Carson ban at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Carson resident William D. Ward said he is a collector who owns between $5,000 and $10,000 worth of weapons that would be outlawed by the city ordinance. “This is impinging on my liberty” he said, adding that only a totalitarian society would permit such a ban.

DeWitt, however, said the weapons are too dangerous.

“I have a real problem with someone who needs to shoot 85 rounds in a minute,” she said. “This is overkill. They just want to kill.”

Councilwoman Sylvia Muise said: “We are not taking away the right to bear arms from anybody.”

The Carson ordinance becomes effective Feb. 23.