Gun Control: L.A. Opportunity

The Los Angeles City Council votes today on a measure, introduced by Councilman Michael Feuer, that would limit handgun purchasers to one gun per month. Its passage would be a big step against the gangs and punks who, unable because of criminal records or their youth to buy their own firearms, acquire them through the bulk purchases of others. Passage would also signal a resolve by city leaders that could encourage county and state action.

Feuer’s measure resembles state limits already on the books in Virginia and South Carolina. Data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms show that Virginia’s law has cut illegal gun trafficking there by up to 72%. A similar bill was introduced last week in Sacramento by Assemblyman Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles). Knox pushed such legislation last year; this time, with a governor who’s more sensible on gun control, its chances for passage are much better.

While local measures of the sort before the Los Angeles City Council are inherently less effective than statewide limits, Feuer has gotten key assurances from California’s new attorney general, Bill Lockyer, that will add some muscle. Los Angeles gun dealers already use the database maintained by the state Department of Justice to determine whether a prospective buyer has a criminal record that makes him or her ineligible to buy a gun. Lockyer will let gun dealers use that database to also discover whether the purchaser has bought a handgun anywhere in California during the previous 30 days. If so, the new purchase will be denied. That’s how to give local measures bigger clout.

Another way to gain leverage is for jurisdictions to share information and coordinate their efforts. A gun summit in West Hollywood last weekend drew a bevy of state and local lawmakers, along with public health experts, community organizers and victims of gun violence. Their goal was to replicate the many local gun ordinances already on the books throughout the region, greatly amplifying the impact of each measure.

After today’s council vote, the county could make the next move. The Board of Supervisors is slated next month to consider a measure promoted by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky to ban sales of so-called Saturday night specials in unincorporated areas. More than 40 cities statewide, including Los Angeles, have taken this step. The county should too.