L.A. Limits Gun Buying to 1 a Month .c The Associated Press By AMANDA COVARRUBIAS LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A new city ordinance will limit people to one handgun purchase a month, the latest step in a nationwide effort by government officials to keep weapons away from criminals. The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 on Wednesday to prohibit legitimate gun dealers from selling more than one handgun to a single buyer within a 30-day period. It is modeled after laws in Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina. ``This is an important stride in preventing gun violence,'' said Councilman Mike Feuer, who sponsored the measure. ``We'll take whatever steps we need to take locally. It's the real key to preventing violent crimes.'' Most guns recovered by police are bought by individuals from legitimate dealers in multiple transactions, according to law enforcement officials. Later, they are illegally resold on the street. Patrick O'Malley, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Washington, D.C., said the ordinance is another knee-jerk reaction to a recent decision by the state Supreme Court regarding West Hollywood's ban on cheap handguns, known as Saturday night specials. The court's ruling last month essentially gives local governments the power to ban gun sales. ``Many cities are racing around furiously trying to pass whatever gun control measure is fashionable at the moment,'' O'Malley said. ``I consider it a symbolic gesture on the part of the City Council.'' There is no limit in California on the number of handguns that may be sold to a single buyer. But a bill based on the gun-a-month concept was introduced last week in the state Legislature. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has agreed to help Los Angeles enforce the law through the use of the state's computer database. The Los Angeles ordinance will take effect in 90 days. AP-NY-01-28-99 0503EST Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles"> NewsProfiles</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>
L.A. Limits Gun Buying to 1 a Month .c The Associated Press By AMANDA COVARRUBIAS LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A new city ordinance will limit people to one handgun purchase a month, the latest step in a nationwide effort by government officials to keep weapons away from criminals. The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 on Wednesday to prohibit legitimate gun dealers from selling more than one handgun to a single buyer within a 30-day period. It is modeled after laws in Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina. ``This is an important stride in preventing gun violence,'' said Councilman Mike Feuer, who sponsored the measure. ``We'll take whatever steps we need to take locally. It's the real key to preventing violent crimes.'' Most guns recovered by police are bought by individuals from legitimate dealers in multiple transactions, according to law enforcement officials. Later, they are illegally resold on the street. Patrick O'Malley, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Washington, D.C., said the ordinance is another knee-jerk reaction to a recent decision by the state Supreme Court regarding West Hollywood's ban on cheap handguns, known as Saturday night specials. The court's ruling last month essentially gives local governments the power to ban gun sales. ``Many cities are racing around furiously trying to pass whatever gun control measure is fashionable at the moment,'' O'Malley said. ``I consider it a symbolic gesture on the part of the City Council.'' There is no limit in California on the number of handguns that may be sold to a single buyer. But a bill based on the gun-a-month concept was introduced last week in the state Legislature. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has agreed to help Los Angeles enforce the law through the use of the state's computer database. The Los Angeles ordinance will take effect in 90 days. AP-NY-01-28-99 0503EST Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles"> NewsProfiles</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>.
