Groups Weigh Effect of Gun Permit Pact

As part of a tentative settlement of a lawsuit, the city of Los Angeles has agreed to end its decades-old policy of refusing to issue concealed weapon permits to private citizens. The out-of-court agreement would transfer authority to issue the permits from the Police Commission to Chief Willie L. Williams. The lawsuit claimed that the Police Commission had violated state law by summarily refusing all permit applications. A pro-gun group estimates that 10,000 permits could be issued to Los Angeles residents in the next two years.

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What effect will the end of the city’s ban on issuing concealed weapon permits have?

George Merson, manager of King’s Gun Works in Glendale:

“It’s a long time in coming. I guess better late than never. (Permit holders are) not going to start pulling out guns just because someone is jay-walking across the street. I think it’s going to serve notice to the scum out there that an armed society is a polite society.”

John Stoos, executive director of Gun Owners of California, which represents approximately 50,000 California residents:

“We’re thrilled with the decision. It allows honest, law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm and if Los Angeles is anything like other cities, we’re going to see a substantial reduction in crime. It’s also going to be a boon and assistance to law-abiding citizens who were already carrying a firearm.”

Mike Pirouzian, licensed private investigator with Observant Investigation Services:

“You have to know the gun, you have to know safety before you can get a concealed weapon permit. I think it will be very carefully screened. They’re not going to give them away.”

Douglas Ray Hickman, president of Sylmar-based DRH Security, whose lawsuit argued that permits were issued arbitrarily and capriciously:

“California is the most heavily legislated gun and firearm state in the union and they have the highest crime rate because the criminal element faces no suspicion that a citizen may be armed. No one’s asking to be a vigilante. There’s an express understanding that you’re not going out to be a policeman.”

Susan Whitmore, director of communications for Handgun Control Inc., which has previously called for firearms control legislation:

“We haven’t seen anything to indicate that large numbers of concealed weapons permits will be given out and think the gun lobby is making a mountain out of a molehill. Based on his past record, we feel that Chief Williams understands that more guns on the street do not make safer communities.”

Michael McNulty, chairman of the California Organization for Public Safety, a pro-gun, public interest research group:

“If (concealed weapons) are in the hands of competent and honest citizens, then I do feel safer. If they’re in the hands of gangbangers, drug dealers and purveyors of violence, then no. Most folks will make a vital choice at one point in their lives--whether to be a good victim or a good survivor.”

Harold Lerner, owner of Westlake Village-based Security First Patrol & Guard Service:

“It’s just a reason for individuals to have weapons under adverse circumstances. That’s bad. Allowing someone to carry a concealed weapon is a rather substantial potential for danger. I’ve seen weapons in the hands of inexperienced people and the whole concept of security changes for the worse when an inexperienced person has a gun.”