Police Panel Backs Gun Control Plan

With the backing of Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, the Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday unanimously endorsed a package of new gun control measures, including requiring thumbprints from people who buy ammunition in the city of Los Angeles.

The proposal--which includes a requirement that dealers sell trigger locks with each gun--is scheduled to be heard by the City Council’s Public Safety Committee next week. If approved, it would go to the full council before the end of the month.

“I think it’s not only reasonable, I think we are obligated to look at ways to cut down violence,” Parks said after the commission meeting. “It has a lot of positive aspects for us.”

Drafted by Councilman Mike Feuer, the ordinance is intended to reduce gun violence while helping detectives--by tracking the thumbprints--determine if people are stockpiling ammunition.

“[The vote] demonstrates the city’s commitment to doing everything possible to keep guns away from criminals and prevent accidental injury or death by firearms,” Feuer said. “Working closely with the Police Department, we have developed a package of measures to help stem the tide of gun violence.”

The ordinance would:

* Require background checks for all employees of gun dealers, banning from employment people who are under 21 or who have recently had their gun license revoked or denied.

* Ban the sale of clips and magazines that can be converted to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Federal law prohibits the manufacture of these items, but dealers are allowed to sell their remaining stock.

* Tighten the city’s Saturday night special ban to prevent a current owner of such a weapon from reselling it through a gun dealer.

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Gun owners contend that the restrictions unfairly target law-abiding people and fail to reach criminals who can easily get ammunition on the black market. However, officials say it is the least they can do to try to stem the tide of violence on the streets.

“This legislation’s aggressive approach . . . will help save lives,” Feuer said.

His proposal has won the support of a host of Southern California lawmakers, who hope to adopt similar measures in their communities. On Monday, Parks threw his support behind the package, prompting the commission to follow suit.

“I think the most important part is that it connects the registration of the individuals with the ammunition and not just the gun,” said commission President Edith Perez. “And the more important thing is it provides for fingerprints.”