Ban on Ammunition Sales Before 2 Holidays OKd
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a ban on the sale of ammunition for one week before New Year’s Eve and Independence Day in an effort to end random gunfire by holiday revelers. It is believed to be the first such ban in the nation.
“This is not a panacea,” Councilman Joel Wachs said of the law. “It is a modest step to help put an end to the reign of terror on our city streets.”
Wachs, Councilman Richard Alatorre and Mayor Tom Bradley proposed the ban last January after another round in what has become a violent celebration of the two holidays that has led to injuries and at least one death in recent years.
Gun shop owners and opponents of gun control have complained that the prohibition would be ineffective in curbing the random gunfire and also would impinge on their right to buy and sell ammunition for hunting and sport.
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