W. Hollywood Ban on Pistol Sales Advances

The West Hollywood City Council on Monday became the first jurisdiction in the state to approve a ban on the sale of “Saturday night specials”--cheap pistols that studies have shown are used disproportionately in violent crimes.

Gun control supporters hailed the vote as a brave step that would lead other cities to ban the guns, which they call a threat to public safety. But gun enthusiasts said the ban would prevent the public, particularly the poor, from defending themselves and promised a lawsuit to overturn the law.

The City Council’s 5-0 vote would ban the sale of a number of pistols without safety devices in West Hollywood as soon as February. To become law, the measure must be approved by a second council vote next month--with a list of the prohibited firearms to be published soon afterward.

“They are clearly taking a leadership role and this has huge significance,” said Sandy Cooney, Western regional director of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence.

Robert Ricker of the American Shooting Sports Council, which represents about 300 gun makers, said it was only a matter of time before a lawsuit would be filed challenging the law.