Simi to Review Policy on Concealed-Weapons Permits

After hearing impassioned pleas from National Rifle Assn. members, the Simi Valley City Council agreed Monday to review its policy on issuing permits to carry concealed weapons.

“The citizens of Simi Valley are not a bunch of wild cowboys, we’re law-abiding citizens,” said Michael Mason, president of the NRA member’s council for eastern Ventura County. “We’re not crazy people. We’re honest citizens who are threatened in a very serious world out here today and have a right to protect ourselves.”

Mason argued that state law is too vague on the terms “good moral character” and “good cause”--the criteria police chiefs use to issue gun permits. The result is a restrictive policy, with only 21 Simi Valley residents receiving permits to carry concealed weapons last year.

Mason asked the City Council to hold an open forum on a policy proposed by the NRA, which would establish textbook definitions for those phrases and ultimately make it easier for trained, law-abiding residents to carry concealed weapons legally.

Other NRA members also urged the City Council to review the NRA policy proposal, as well as a similar policy put forward by Police Chief Randy Adams.

Adams’ proposal would provide a concealed weapons permit for anyone who has a clean criminal record, $1 million in liability insurance and proof that they received weapons training and passed a psychological exam.

NRA member Tom Goodman criticized Adams’ proposed requirement for $1 million in liability insurance, saying that such insurance would cost him $1,300 a year--an amount that would prohibit many from carry guns.

Councilwomen Sandi Webb and Barbara Williamson backed the idea of holding a council discussion, but Mayor Pro Tem Bill David balked. “State law gives the chief of police the ability to set the standards,” said Davis, who supports Adams’ proposal.

Mayor Greg Stratton asked City Manager Mike Sedell to look into the issue and report back.

“Certainly discussing it is not a bad thing,” Stratton said. “Maybe people will understand the nuances of the policy.”

Sedell agreed to report to the council in one month on the state’s permit law, ongoing attempts to change it and varied policies developed by police chiefs throughout the state.

Adams said he will present his final policy to the council at the same time.