ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Gun Battles on Main Street

The issue of gun control on the national level is of intense interest, as the continuing political controversy over the ban on assault weapons demonstrates. But it is also crucial on Main Street, where steps must be taken to show that communities are serious about curbing the slaughter in their homes and neighborhoods.

Last week, the City Council of La Palma took the meaningful step of endorsing unanimously a position paper submitted to it by Police Chief David Barr that represented the California Police Chiefs Assn.’s position on the regulation of firearms. The chief told the council, “It’s a politically hot issue . . . but my personal position is that there are too many guns out there.” He is right about that; there are estimated to be a staggering 210 million nationally.

Local political leaders are aware of the strong challenge that the pro-gun lobby poses to effective legislation. However, they must continue to seek gun restrictions because their police departments are on the front lines in trying to stem the tide of violence.

The state police chiefs’ position paper, which was approved in February, was remarkable for its comprehensive statement on a range of gun-related issues. It argued sensibly for a mandatory registration system for firearms, limits on ownership and possession, smaller magazine capacity, restrictions on storage and requirements for locking devices. It also called for firearm safety standards, retention of local control over concealed-weapons permits, a ban on assault weapons, tough penalties for unlawful possession, and more.

The state police chiefs argued convincingly, “We as a society have for far too long treated the tragic consequences that result from an armed America as but a footnote to the long, but falsely held, notion that a highly armed populous is necessary for the preservation of our freedoms.” The paper went on to talk about record numbers of firearm sales and the tragedy of firearm-related deaths and injuries that occur because of “accident, mistake and misfortune.”

The police chiefs should be applauded for their strong conclusion that it is time to deal with the fact that “the widespread and ready availability of firearms threatens to undermine the foundation of our social order.” The group is seeking support for the position from the League of California Cities, and ought to receive it. Credit La Palma too for endorsing the paper, thereby moving to the front on this issue.

Getting a handle on the problem of guns is a challenge for the entire nation. But this effort, backed by communities like La Palma, is a sensible way to go and worthy of support.