Lungren Group Backs Gun Bill That Has Democrats’ Support : Weapons: Measure would outlaw manufacture, sale of cheap handguns in state. It has cleared the Senate but was defeated in Assembly committee on party-line vote.

An advisory group selected by Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren is recommending that California ban the manufacture and sale of cheap and easily hidden handguns known as Saturday Night specials that are often used by violent criminals.

The draft report by Lungren’s Policy Council on Violence Prevention comes as the Legislature debates a bill by state Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) that would outlaw such handguns.

The 26-member group urged approval of Polanco’s measure, which would require pistols or revolvers that are produced and sold in California to meet the same safety and materials standards required of imported guns by the federal government. Those standards essentially prohibit unsafe and poorly made handguns that generally sell for less than $100.

“Californians should have the same degree of protection from handguns manufactured in this state as they can currently expect from handguns imported from foreign manufacturers,” the council said.

The Democratic-supported Polanco bill was narrowly approved this spring by the state Senate, but failed two weeks ago in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a vote along party lines. Polanco said Tuesday that the emergence of the council’s report may help revive his bill.

The Polanco bill is supported by police, emergency room physicians and a variety of inner-city community activists. It is opposed by gun owner organizations, firearms manufacturers and others who argue that the bill is so broadly written that it would not only ban cheap handguns, but also high-quality weapons made by brand-name manufacturers.

Aides to the Republican attorney general said Lungren had not seen the May 4 draft recommendation and will take no position until a final report is submitted later this summer. “We are planning to be very upfront with it when it comes out,” said press secretary Steve Telliano.

The advisory panel included representatives of local law enforcement, state prison, health, education and welfare officials; physicians; child protection advocates and business executives. The group’s 24-page document devoted to firearms was obtained by The Times on Tuesday.

The advisers said they were split over their recommendation, but said a majority favors a ban that would reduce the “availability of small, easily concealable, cheaply made handguns” that police say are favored by street gangs and other criminals.

The Lungren panel included the police chiefs of Sacramento and Redding, the Kern County district attorney and representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.