Message From the Electorate: Californians Want Gun Control

As the polls closed on election evening Nov. 3, political pundits began to analyze and reanalyze the meaning behind Gray Davis’ commanding victory and the Democratic sweep in California.

Depending upon the analyst, the election was viewed as either a rebuke of the Republican Congress’ handling of the Clinton affair, an approval of Davis’ moderate stands or a backlash by minority voters against Gov. Pete Wilson’s advocacy of Propositions 187 and 209.

Most likely, the Democratic success resulted from a convergence of all these issues.

However, in the weeks following the election, analysts have commented on the overwhelming impact that the gun control issue had in California. Respected GOP strategist Tony Quinn recently stated that being anti-gun control has become as unpopular as being anti-death penalty when the voters are demanding that politicians be tough on crime.

Gun control, most notably the proposal to ban assault weapons and Saturday night specials, was a central theme sounded by Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. Davis, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Atty. Gen.-elect Bill Lockyer often focused their media campaigns on the issue.

In the attorney general’s race, Democratic candidate Lockyer featured dramatic footage of the bank robbers wielding assault weapons in the now-infamous North Hollywood shootout. Evidence of the impact of the issue was even more evident in half a dozen key suburban legislative races. Republican candidates backed by the National Rifle Assn. lost soundly in what were considered hotly contested Assembly races in Santa Barbara, Downey and Long Beach.

In my own Assembly race, the NRA spent tens of thousands of dollars supporting my opponent and decrying my support for gun regulation. In this swing district, the result was clear; I won by more than 18,000 votes.

The recent elections have sent a clear message to policymakers: Californians demand that we make changes in the law to reduce drastically the epidemic of gun violence. When the Legislature convenes in December, it will follow this mandate and take swift action on the following reforms:

* A ban on assault weapons: Current law is riddled with loopholes that allow the importation and sale of military-style weapons and ammunition magazines of greater than 10 rounds. These high-powered assault weapons exist for only one reason: to kill large numbers of people in the shortest time possible. I predict that state Sen.-elect Don Perata’s (D-Alameda) bill to ban all assault weapons will be reintroduced and passed early next year.

* A ban on junk guns. Federal law bans the importation of unsafe handguns known as Saturday night specials. Unfortunately, the federal ban does not apply to handguns manufactured within the United States.

Wilson has vetoed two previous bills to place safety standards on these weapons. State Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) will reintroduce this measure and the Legislature will send Davis this legislation.

* Mandatory trigger locks. In 1996, more than 1,100 Americans died from accidental shootings, yet we continue to place stricter regulations on toy guns than lethal firearms. I will introduce legislation on the first day of the new session to mandate the sale of trigger locks with all guns sold in California.

More Californians died last year from gunfire than from automobile accidents. Gunfire is the leading cause of death for California’s young people ages 1 to 19. This human carnage can no longer be tolerated.

The people of California have spoken clearly. No longer can the narrow interests of the gun lobby thwart the will of the voters.

The California Legislature has been given a mandate to pass this reform package of gun regulation, along with other possible measures. To do so will save many lives, prevent countless disabling injuries and reduce a huge burden placed on our law enforcement and health care systems.