San Francisco, frustrated by rising homicides, tries handgun ban

sacbee ^ | 1-20-05

[LouAvul]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Frustrated by a 28 percent increase in homicides during the past year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has proposed a sweeping measure banning handguns, injecting the city into the national debate over gun control.

The proposal will appear on the municipal ballot in November and would bar residents from keeping handguns in their homes or businesses. It also would prohibit the sale, manufacture and distribution of any firearms or ammunition in San Francisco, where residents have bought nearly 22,000 handguns since 1996, according to the state attorney general's office.

Supervisor Chris Daly, who proposed the measure, said he and other supervisors already have received threatening phone calls and e-mails from gun supporters.

"Up to this point, I don't think anyone has come up with anything that's working," Daly said. "This is my contribution to trying to figure out a way to turn back the tide of violence."

[LouAvul]

There are so many flaws in this it's hard to know where to begin. a) Outlaw handguns and perps will carry shotguns. Shotguns are more lethal and will produce more fatalities. b) I'm guessing homicides are already illegal. So since the people in question already like to break the law, what makes anyone think perps will obey a handgun ban? c) As nuts as San Franciscans already are, if you outlaw the civilized folk, it'll make the perps more aggressive. d) Bad law made by bad politicians.

[goldstategop]

Stupid liberals. How about pushing for the aggressive enforcement of the death penalty against those who commit murder instead of taking it out on the victims by disarming them?

[mista science]

I was working in SF about 10 years ago when a cyclist with a handgun was accosted by a couple of muggers in Golden Gate Pak. He shot one of them, and the other was charged with murder. Cops just shrugged about the cyclist, who disappeared. Times change.

[datura]

This isn't surprising news. I mean, who would've thought that San Fran would have so many homocides. It's not as if they are pursuing a lifestyle which leads to longevity anyway.

Now, by banning legal firearms ownership, they will see an even faster rate increase in gun crimes. Heck, in 5 years, SF may be a ghost town - and can then be repopulated by normal people.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

"Heck, in 5 years SF may be a ghost town"If that hapens, we should just leave it that way, as a reminder of the failure of liberalism.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Truly stupid people out there.

[USMCVet]

Another good reason not to visit San Francisco.

[pillbox_girl]

"Up to this point, I don't think anyone has come up with anything that's working," Daly said.

Up to this point?

Who does he think he's kidding.

Mr. Daly. It's been tried. Look at D.C. It didn't work there. And it won't work in Frisco either.

Expect Frisco's tourist industry to take a hit soon.

[marty60]

Well in the sicko mind of the Lefties, the POOR murderers are underpriviliged, mentally ill, victims of the capitalist system or ______. the working people are the REAL criminals. They HAVE, and that is their crime.

[cweese]

I agree with what you're saying except "a) Outlaw handguns and perps will carry shotguns". I think the perps will continue carrying/using handguns. They will get them in other cities or on the black mkt. in San Fran. Shotguns are too hard to conceal.

[Route101]

...Doofus Alert!...Oh, sure...the criminals will just lay down their guns because there's a ban on them...I'd be crying if I wasn't laughing!

[pillbox_girl]

Wait a minute. I thought Frisco had a handgun ban already. I know they have "strong gun control". Someone I know from Frisco (he hates the word Frisco - which is why I use it at every opportunity) wanted to buy a handgun, but kept complaining he couldn't. He had to move to Oregon before he could buy one, and then started complaining that he didn't need it anymore. Sometimes it's fun to watch the liberal to conservative learning curve.

My point is: if "gun control" in Frisco isn't working, why do they think more "gun control" will?

And it doesn't matter to the criminals one whit what they pass in Frisco. OakTown is still just a bridge (well, two bridges and an island) away. Cutting the Emperor Norton Bridge (Bay Bridge to the uneducated) might lower crime in Frisco, but I doubt it. I can guarantee, though, it will be at least as effective as any new loony "gun control" scheme.

[wontbackdown]

San Francisco will become a Mecca for criminals who will bring handguns with them from all parts of the country. Watch the murder rate go WAY up as law abiding citizens are left helpless aqainst gun wielding criminals. And those who dare to keep their guns and use them successfully for protection will be prosecuted for murder and perhaps even executed - after all, they must be made examples of because good liberals must never use guns.

[papertyger]

Truly stupid people out there.

If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough...

[StonyBurk]

First they rejected God and embraced the rleigion of the
ungodly Sodomite -then they wonder why immorality has so
infected their city turned slum.Their knowledge is ever increasing -but still they fail to find wisdom -fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom.when they Repent and seek
again God's face the rest of it will straighten out.

[School of Rational Thought]

"Up to this point, I don't think anyone has come up with anything that's working," Daly said"

So to follow in the footsteps of England and Australia, we we'll propose a plan not to work here.

[MamaTexan]

Frustrated by a 28 percent increase in homicides during the past year

Hummm, wonder if it has anything to do with illegals wandering across the border at every opportunity?

The proposal will appear on the municipal ballot in November and would bar residents from keeping handguns in their homes or businesses.

(sniff, sniff) Methinks I detect a whiff of incoming lawsuit.

Curious that courts have found cops are NOT legally liable to protect us, but the political whores feel justified in trying to deny us our inalienable right to protect ourselves.

[Oberon]

This isn't surprising news. I mean, who would've thought that San Fran would have so many homocides.

Oh, it has nothing to do with violence; city residents were merely frustrated and impatient with the old Mae West conundrum "Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?"

This new ordinance is an effort to lay the ambiguity to rest.