Wachs Proposes Gun Control Reward Plan

Joining a parade of city officials trying to reduce gun violence in the city, Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs on Friday proposed a $600 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone illegally possessing or firing a gun.

While other programs often reward legal gun owners for giving up a firearm by offering money or theater tickets in exchange for weapons, Wachs said his plan targets those guns most likely to be used in a crime.

“This is aimed at people who break the law,” he said at a news conference prior to introducing his proposal to the City Council, which is expected to consider the program next week.

Although state and federal agencies regulate gun sales and registration, Wachs’ proposal is the latest in a series of efforts by Los Angeles city officials to restrict the possession of guns in a city plagued by gun violence.

In 1992, about 77% or 1,639 of the 2,116 homicides reported to the the Los Angeles County coroner’s office were the result of gunshot wounds. That is a slight increase from 1991 when about 72% of the homicides were caused by gunshots.

“While the law that I’m proposing is not a panacea, it is something that can be done in Los Angeles and it is something that can be done today,” Wachs said.

Other city efforts to clamp down on guns in the past few years include a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and plans for the city to host a nationwide gun control conference.

Last month, Ticketmaster launched a guns-for-tickets exchange that netted 412 handguns, rifles, shotguns and assault rifles. The program, which was called a success by elected officials and police, provided movie, theater and sporting event passes in exchange for any gun, no questions asked.

Unlike that program, Wachs said his reward plan will only target those who illegally possess or fire guns.

“Traditional buy-back programs go to a lot of people who may have a gun in the closet for 10 years and then decide to bring it out when they find out they can get some money for it,” he said. “That’s not the kind of gun that is likely to be used in a crime.”

Wachs said his reward program was not offered in response to any particular shooting incident but was an idea that came to him as he was thinking about the general problem of gun proliferation in the city.

The councilman said he has no idea how many illegal guns would be confiscated or how much the total program would cost the city. He said he is still studying ways to provide the reward without having to identify the person who collects.

Councilman Marvin Braude, a strong advocate of gun control and chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, said Wachs’ idea may have some merit and is worth considering. But he said he would like to convene at least two conferences on gun control to study all the options to see which can most effectively reduce gun proliferation.

“I think this is worth talking about and thinking about,” he said.

Although the National Rifle Assn. supports penalties for those who illegally carry guns, a spokesman said the group has no position on Wachs’ proposal.

But Steve Helsley, the NRA’s state liaison in Sacramento, criticized the recent series of gun control efforts in Los Angeles, saying city officials erroneously believe gun control is the same as crime control.

He said city officials should concentrate on other ways to fight crime, such as keeping habitual criminals behind bars.

“I think that what we are dealing with is frustration and the inability to address the real problems,” Helsley said.

Los Angeles Police Lt. John Duncan said he has not read Wachs’ proposal and could not comment on the LAPD’s position.

Proposed Gun Control Measures * Last month, Councilman Marvin Braude suggested the city host conferences on gun control with representatives from other large cities nationwide. The motion was adopted 13 to 1.

* In November, Braude suggested the council lobby the Legislature to give local government power to enact local gun control laws. He also instructed the city attorney to identify what powers the city can use to clamp down on gun sales. His ideas are under consideration.

* In October, 1992, the City Council voted 12 to 1 to approve an ordinance placing new restrictions on the construction of gun stores. The law requires public hearings before permits are issued for new gun shops.

* In November, 1991, Councilwoman Rita Walters proposed a system of registering guns and restricting the sale of ammunition. The city attorney has determined that regulation of gun sales and weapons registration is preempted by the state. So Walters is now studying a plan to require police permits to buy ammunition.

* In May, 1990, the City Council adopted a law banning the sale of ammunition seven days before New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July.

* In February, 1989, City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky proposed a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons in the city. The ordinance was passed unanimously but was later preempted when a similar law was enacted statewide.