Stockton Rejects Plan to Let Residents Carry Guns : Weapons: Council decides that a proposal to relax policy on concealed weapon permits would hurt city’s image and escalate violence on the streets.

In a showdown between the National Rifle Assn. and gun-control advocates, the Stockton City Council rejected a measure Monday night that would have allowed any “law-abiding” resident of this San Joaquin Valley city to carry a concealed weapon.

After two long and emotional debates before overflow crowds at City Hall, the council refused to make Stockton the first city in California to fight crime by allowing thousands of its citizens to arm themselves outside their homes.

“What is the message sent to our children if we adopt this?” asked Jeff Crawford, a Stockton resident who opposed the measure. “Is that, in a civilized society, a real solution?”

By a 6-1 vote, the council rejected the proposed ordinance that would have relaxed the rules for obtaining concealed weapon permits. The council agreed that enacting the measure would hurt Stockton’s image and escalate violence on the streets.

Council members also concluded that the proposal, which would have allowed as many as 130,000 adult Stockton residents to carry hidden firearms, was preempted by state law governing the issuance of concealed weapon permits.

“I think this would be absolute chaos,” Councilwoman Loralee McGaughey, a strong opponent of the measure, told her colleagues. “I think that it has been a true travesty for this city. It’s not something that we need.”

Put forward by Councilman Nick Rust, a member of the National Rifle Assn., the measure aroused great controversy in Stockton, where a deranged drifter opened fire with an assault weapon on a schoolyard five years ago, killing five children and wounding 29.

Rust argued that giving a large number of citizens the right to carry concealed weapons would make the city safer. But in the end, he was the only one to vote for the ordinance.

“People are going to have guns, and the people you cannot control are the criminals,” he said shortly before the measure was voted down. “I believe we’re giving a message to the nation: If you want to commit a crime, come to Stockton.”

Under current law, people can legally keep guns in their homes or businesses without permits. But Rust and his supporters argue that 70% of all crime occurs outside those locations.

State law gives police chiefs and county sheriffs the authority to issue a concealed weapon permit to any citizen of “good moral character.” Such a permit allows the holder to carry a hidden, loaded weapon anywhere in the state, except restricted areas such as schools, courtrooms and airports.

In practice, however, the permits are difficult to obtain in most jurisdictions.

In Stockton, Police Chief Ed Chavez has angered many citizens by requiring that applicants prove they have a demonstrated need for a concealed weapon, such as carrying large amounts of cash or having received threats. He has issued only five permits since he became chief 15 months ago. Overall, the city has issued just over 200 permits, most of them to members of the city’s elite--including two City Council members.

“You almost have to spend $40,000 and get elected to the City Council to get one of these things,” quipped Councilman Mel Panizza.

Rust’s measure would have forced the police chief to issue a concealed weapon permit to any citizen except those in certain categories, including convicted felons, illegal immigrants, gang members, the mentally disturbed and people known to use drugs or abuse alcohol.

In two successive Monday night meetings, the council heard from more than 50 people representing a cross-section of the community--working people and business leaders, lawyers and doctors, a judge and a mechanic, gun enthusiasts and crime victims.

Many supporters of the proposal were part of a well-organized attempt by the National Rifle Assn. to win a victory on the issue in California. The idea clearly struck a chord with many Stockton residents fed up with violent crime.

“We’re sick and tired of the crap in this town,” said Timothy Sanchez, a hospital technician. “We have to take matters into our own hands.”

Ron Stauffer, a salesman who has lived in Stockton for 10 years, protested that the Police Department will give concealed weapon permits to people who carry large amounts of money, but not to people who want to protect their families.

“I am not a violent man, but I would die for these children,” Stauffer said, holding up a picture of five of his six children. “I would kill for these children.”

But one man who already has lost a child to violent crime took the opposite view. James Gorman, noting that his 19-year-old daughter was murdered three years ago, argued against the proliferation of weapons.

“We’re growing up in a society where the gun is the answer to everything,” said Gorman, one of the few African Americans to speak before the council. “Let’s don’t arm Stockton. Let’s make it a place like it used to be--someplace special, a place where people would like to go.”

Ultimately, it was the city’s business leaders, working behind the scenes, who were the most persuasive in arguing against the measure.

“This is not the image that Stockton should promote,” said Nelson Baylor, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “It only gives us another hurdle to overcome to get business to come to the city.”