I did a search, and didn't see that anyone had posted about this yet, so here goes. Mods, please merge this with the other thread if there is already one going. I picked up this flyer at Reed's Indoor Range in Santa Clara today. It sounds like more of the Chicken Little Theory of Public Safety.
Thanks for reading.
If you live in or near Santa Clara, please call the council chambers, write to them, or best still attend the next meeting and demand it be debated.Date: 09/27/06 11:11 PM PST
City of Santa Clara Ordinance Change
Though this is only a city ordinance change, this has important implications to all gun owners in the city of Santa Clara. It could well lead to more restrictive measures in other Bay Area cities if this were to pass.
This was discussed as part of a "noise abatement and nuisance" issue at the City of Santa Clara's September 26, 2006 City Council meeting. The part that was inserted per the Chief of Police, Steve Lodge, was a ban on gun shows and other "restrictions" on firearms. There may be a few issues with this change, specifically the definition of what a "firearm" is, and of course the fact that this was inserted into the Council's agenda, without an open and fair discussions [sic] by the very citizens it may affect in Santa Clara. The city has a great potential to host a gun show at its convention center but unfortunately this "direction" our police department is taking disregards a few elements. At the meeting, a Sgt. for the dept. stood up and stated this was being proposed due to the 2,000+ related firearm deaths in California and this will deter or stop the potential of handgun deaths in the city of Santa Clara.
The Chief himself stated in his letter to the Council,
Please help us in Santa Clara - the next meeting when this comes to vote is October 10, 2006 and it will go to print this week so that they can vote on it at that meeting. Please note this is per word quoted ordinance, but what was spoken about at the meeting and what will be printed, will only be a "summary" so it appears that what sounds good as another "public safety" measure against gun violence, is just another indication of the anti-firearm ownership stance so many municipalities are taking this day [sic]."State law does not address firearm sales on city/county property, but gun sales/transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer, and there are no known licensed dealers with licensed premises on city property. Gunshot fatalities and injuries are a serious problem due to the fact of the 2,391 murders committed in the State of California during 2004 (latest complete UCR data), 1,724 were committed with firearms (and 442 of these crimes were committed using handguns). This ordinance revision would make it unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the City to offer or expose for sale, any goods, wares, or merchandise, or to erect or maintain any booth, stand or show featuring any projectile weapon.
Prohibiting the sale and display of firearms on public property within the City will promote the health and safety by contributing to the reduction of gunshot fatalities and injuries in the City and surrounding communities."
"Given that firearms pose a direct threat to the health and safety of citizens, prohibiting sale of firearms on public property within the corporate limits of the City will promote the public health and safety by contributing to the reduction of gunshot fatalities and injuries in the City and surround [sic] communities." Steve Lodge -Chief of Police Santa Clara
Here is the proposed ordinance change:
Agenda Report
City of Santa Clara, California
Meeting Day: 9-26-06
Date of Report sent to the City Manager for Council Action: September 18, 2006
Agena Item # 7A16
From: Chief of Police of Santa Clara/Steve Lodge
2006 Proposed Municipal Ordinance Amended For The City of Santa Clara
9.05.240 Weapons-Show, sale or discharging of firearms restricted.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person on public property within the corporate limits of the City, to offer or expose for sale any goods, wares or merchandise or to erect or maintain any booth, stand or show featuring any projectile weapon. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, fire, or project (or cause to be projected, fired or discharged), within the corporate limits of the City, a projectile weapon.
(b) For purpose of this section, projectile weapons shall be referred to as "firearms." Firearms shall include, but not be limited to, any gun, rifle, pistol, firearm, cannon (or explosive device of similar nature), air rifle, air pistol, air gun, BB gun, gas operated gun, pellet gun, flare gun, dart gun, paint gun, bow, crossbow, slung shot, sling shot, wrist rocket, or any instrument of any kind, character, or description which expels; launches or propels a projectile of any kind with sufficient force to cause damage to property, or injury or death to a person or persons.
(c) The foregoing provisions as to the use of firearms shall not apply to:
(1) police officers or soldiers in the discharge [of] their official duties and while in the exercise of reasonable care;
(2) a person using firearms in necessary of self defense;
(3) a person, as defined by SCCC 1.05.020, conducting a fixed place of business in the City and which has obtained all other City Code, regulation and policy approvals;
(4) schools conduction [sic] supervised classes, such as archery classes;
(5) such other activities which first secure permission from the City Council to conduct the activity.
Thanks for reading.
