SAN FRANCISCO - City residents will vote next year on a proposed weapons ban that would deny handguns to everyone except law enforcement officers, members of the military and security guards.
If passed next November, residents would have 90 days to give up firearms they keep in their homes or businesses. The proposal was immediately dismissed as illegal by a gun owners group.
The measure "” submitted Tuesday to the Department of Elections by some city supervisors "” would also prohibit the sale, manufacturing or distribution of handguns, and the transfer of gun licenses, according to Bill Barnes, an aide to Supervisor Chris Daly.
Firearms would be allowed only for police officers, security guards, members of the military, and anyone else "actually employed and engaged in protecting and preserving property or life within the scope of his or her employment," according to the measure.
Barnes said Wednesday the initiative is a response to the rising homicide rate and other social ills, noting: "We think there is a wide benefit to limiting the number of guns in the city."
Gun Owners of California, a Sacramento-based lobbying group, quickly called the ban illegal. Sam Paredes, the group's executive director, said state law bars local governments from usurping the state's authority to regulate firearms.
"The amazing thing is they are going to turn San Francisco into ground zero for every criminal who wants to profit at their chosen profession," Paredes said.
How many residents would be affected by the ban is unclear, since California does not require residents to register handguns that are kept in a private residence or business.This is why the liberals push so hard for registration first!
Washington, D.C., is the only major American city that currently bans handgun possession by private citizens. Andrew Arulanandam, director of public affairs for the National Rifle Association, said San Francisco would be remiss to use that city as a model.
"If gun control worked, Washington, D.C., would be the beacon. However, it's the murder capital of the United States," he said.
In San Francisco, five of the 11-member Board of Supervisors submitted the measure directly to the Department of Elections "” one more than the minimum needed to get the measure on the ballot without signatures from registered voters.
The city's voters have frequently championed liberal causes. In the last election, a nonbinding ballot measure to condemn the war in Iraq (news - web sites) and immediately pull out U.S. troops immediately passed with ease.
If approved, the weapons ban would take effect in January 2006.
To those who swear up and down that "it can't happen here," what say you to this? If it passes I just might happen here!
RE: But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
Good reason to have equivalents to the second amendment written in state constitutions. It seems there ought to be some second amendment counterargument against this kind of ban. At the same time, it seems the second amendment can't be invoked to argue that we ought to be able to keep and bear bazookas. I like the comment about Washington DC, having banned handguns, being the murder capital of the US -- handgun ban notwithstanding!
RE: But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
I'm sure the "looney bin" aka The Bay Area will brag about another bold step they've spearheaded for the good of us all. I used to like visiting the city and party there, maybe I'll take my tourist $ elsewhere.
Maybe I'm mis-remembering my facts, but didn't the US gov't settle issue of states rights vs fed gov't rights at Appomattox?
There's a saying "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it" Maybe we should alter it slightly "Those who are blind to the present will make the same mistakes."
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RE: But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
I heard about this on the news the other day. If this happens, it will only show that gun bans really do not work!! I am sure that it will pass, as liberal as the bay area is, and it will soon be found that the crime rate will skyrocket farther than it already has!!! I feel sorry for the law-abiding gun owners of the bay area who will become criminals to own a handgun![:@]
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RE: But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
I thought an earthquake was supposed to shake them into the ocean anytime now. I'm waiting......
The really sad part is things that seem off the wall in California sometimes lose that off the wallness and become the standard elsewhere in 10 or 20 years.
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RE: But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
I'm right with you, North Texan. And this goes out to members of this board who said it would never happen. My guess is that if it does, charlie brown is right. Only they will blame surrounding areas without confiscation for their increasing crime!
But it can NEVER HAPPEN HERE! (Gun Confiscation!)
