Monterey Park : Council Endorses Arms Ban

The City Council has endorsed unanimously a resolution calling for the state Legislature to ban the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles. Before the council voted Monday, several speakers voiced their concern that such a ban would only ensure that law-abiding citizens would be prohibited from using the weapons in sporting activities or collections.

But the resolution noted that “urban assault weapons, such as the AK-47 and Uzi, are military-type, high-powered arms which are inherently not suitable for home protection or hunting.” The resolution, referring to the use of the weapons by cocaine dealers and violent gang members, said “there is no shelter nor escape for innocent bystanders caught in the cross fire of urban assault weapons.”

As an amendment to the resolution, Mayor Barry L. Hatch gained support from the council to urge the Legislature to adopt a mandatory, additional 10-year prison sentence for those convicted of crimes in which the weapons are used.