Gwen Baumgardner: IT’S A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND GUN CONTROL MEASURE.
TUESDAY NIGHT — THE SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL VOTING TO REQUIRE GUN OWNERS TO CARRY LIABILITY INSURANCE.
THE DECISION COMES AFTER A SAN JOSE RAILYARD EMPLOYEE OPENED FIRE AT HIS WORKPLACE IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR — KILLING NINE PEOPLE.
SAN JOSE’S MAYOR SAYS THE ORDINANCE WILL ENCOURAGE GUN OWNERS TO HAVE GUN SAFES, INSTALL TRIGGER LOCKS AND TAKE GUN SAFETY CLASSES.
Mayor Sam Liccardo // (D) San Jose: “We want to encourage folks to deploy approaches that will reduce gun harm in their own communities. We’re going to learn from each other. We’re going to take the best ideas and hopefully scale them.”
Gwen Baumgardner: THE ORDINANCE IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES.
OPPONENTS SAY IT INFRINGES ON THEIR RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS — AND PLACES THE BLAME FOR GUN VIOLENCE ON LAWFUL GUN OWNERS.
Sam Paredes // Executive Director, Gun Owners of California: “California either affects or infects what happens throughout the country. In this case, we would look at this as an unconstitutional infection that we want to stop here.”
Gwen Baumgardner: IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, GUN OWNERS WHO DON’T HAVE INSURANCE WON’T LOSE THEIR GUNS — OR FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES. RATHER, THE INSURANCE IS MEANT TO PROTECT THE OWNER FROM FROM ANY ACCIDENTAL USE OF THEIR FIREARM THAT RESULTS IN DEATH, INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO CURRENT AND RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS — OR THOSE WITH A LICENSE TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS.