Posted on 01/30/2005 11:18:44 AM PST by Dog Gone
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RESOURCES
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| LITTLE SUCCESS BANNING GUNS This isn't the first time San Francisco has tried to outlaw handguns: • In 1978: After the shooting deaths of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the city enacted a similar measure. |
SAN FRANCISCO - Last year, Lateefah Simon went to nine funerals, all for friends and acquaintances killed by handguns.
As the executive director of a women's outreach center here, "I've had so many phone calls so many times in the middle of the night from someone saying 'My child's father is dead' that I lost track," she said.
So it's not surprising that Simon is a strong supporter of the proposal to ban handguns that voters here will consider this year.
"To me, outlawing handguns is the first step to becoming a more advanced society," said Simon, who runs the Center for Young Women's Development, which helps women who live on the street or who were recently released from jail.
Prompted by a surge in homicides last year, city supervisors in December approved a proposal that would make it illegal for private citizens to possess a handgun. The measure — controversial even by San Francisco standards — will be put to voters at the next election. That will likely be in November, but could be as early as July.
If voters approve the measure, it could become effective in January 2006, and handgun owners would have 90 days to legally turn over their weapons. Penalties for violating the law have not been set.
"We're not saying you shouldn't have a rifle or a shotgun if you want to go hunting," said Bill Barnes, spokesman for the Committee to Ban Handgun Violence. The group is planning its kickoff campaign for the measure Feb. 10 in a predominantly African-American area of San Francisco where gun deaths are common. "What we're saying is that if you live in San Francisco, you don't need a handgun."
Gun proponents, of course, say otherwise. Outlawing handguns will only eliminate an "occupational hazard" for criminals and make violent crime more rampant, said Sam Paredes, executive director of the Gun Owners of California.
The Sacramento-based group, along with the National Rifle Association and other gun organizations, are planning to ask election officials to keep the initiative off the ballot and have vowed to sue if necessary. They claim the San Francisco proposal would circumvent the U.S. Constitution as well as state laws that make it illegal to require special licenses for handguns.
"I guess it doesn't matter what the law is to those people down there," said Paredes, referring in part to San Francisco's attempts last year to legalize gay marriage. "They have a propensity for going against the grain."
If the proposal passes, San Francisco would join Washington, D.C., and Chicago among the few big cities that limit private ownership of pistols and other handguns — although opponents in Washington and Chicago also are seeking to overturn the laws in the courts and in Congress.
Gun advocates are quick to point out that the bans in Washington and Chicago have apparently made little difference.
Even some who are trying to get more guns off the streets of San Francisco are skeptical.
"Without any question, there's always a need" for fewer guns, said Shawn Richard, who runs a group called Brothers Against Guns in San Francisco. Two of Richard's brothers were killed by guns. "But it's hard to enforce something like this ... and if it's just a political stunt, what good is it?"
Like gun advocates, Richard said he fears a ban would simply drive dealers underground.
Proponents of the San Francisco proposal say something must be done. Last year, nearly 90 people were murdered in the city, most by guns. That was a sharp increase from previous years, although the city's homicide rate is still much lower than in other big cities.
One of the most likely ways the law will be enforced, Barnes said, is by police who get called to domestic disturbances. If they find a gun on the premises, he said, they can confiscate it and file charges against the owner.
"This doesn't get into some big policy goal ... it's not intended to engage in some national discussion about gun control," Barnes said. "It's just about how to make San Francisco safer for San Franciscans."
I wonder when my hangun will start killing people?
Hell let them ban guns the city is already a stinking cesspool anyway it can't get any worse.
Looks like SF wants into contention with Chicago and DC as murder champion of the US.
slacktivism (SLAK.tuh.viz.um) n. Activism that seeks projects and causes that require the least amount of effort. —slacktivist n.
http://www.wordspy.com/words/slacktivism.asp
It's for the children. If it saves one child, it's worth it.
Blah, blah, blah.
San Francisco has been out of touch for years.
Will Illegals and felons get to vote?
When you load it, point it at them, disengage the safety -- and pull the trigger -- and not one moment sooner!!
Don't be so sure. Especially when it comes to super evil assault weapons.
http://www.assaultweaponwatch.com/
Tyrant. Who are you to decide what guns I need and dont need and where?
Is Bill Barnes related to Michael Barnes of the Brady Campaign??
Makes me wonder what part of "shall not be infringed" these people do not understand.
Along with being able to say 'husband/wife' and actually RAISING the kids ???
New billboards in S.F.---
'Hey criminals, handguns are now outlawed and the police wont respond to home security alarms, thanks for your votes' !!!
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