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City Council approves firearms ordinance
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More from Local NewsGun owners in Port Hueneme will soon have to report missing or stolen firearms within 48 hours of their disappearance.
Port Hueneme's City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the new measure, which is designed to better flag down illegal trafficking of firearms.
Under state law, purchasing a firearm requires a 10-day waiting period for a background check. But there's little to prevent qualified buyers from selling weapons to those who don't qualify — an act known as a straw purchase.
Under the ordinance, legitimate owners who do not report the loss and whose guns are used in a crime face misdemeanor charges.
Owners who flout the law and are linked to straw purchases face additional charges on not properly transferring the ownership of firearms.
The law takes effect in 30 days. Port Hueneme joins Thousand Oaks in approving similar measures, which are being pushed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Gun rights advocates and the National Rifle Association oppose the measures.
Simi Valley's council, which also recently approved a first reading of a similar law, conducts a second reading of the ordinance Monday.
Posted by shaver_one on August 9, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I still say it's unenforceable.
Posted by sslocal on August 9, 2007 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A straw purchase is already against the law. What good will this do?
Posted by rebel123 on August 13, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully it will make gun owners more responsible. If you want the right to bear arms, it is essential that you report theft of guns immediately. If gun owners obey the law....as they contend they do....then this law simply makes it unlawful to not report it. Then, when a gun is used in a crime and the registered owner claims it was stolen but not reported, they can be held accountable.
Posted by kstonehedge on August 13, 2007 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Laws like this accomplish two very important goals. First they get free publicity for the "lawmakers". This is very important, since it costs money to get your name in the paper and the media. Secondly, it allows the "lawmakers" to victimize some political group who they dislike, without any of the normal stigma associated with bigotry. The unintended consequences are also significant, this law will increase crime and injury. But nothing is as important as getting your name in the paper while kicking those jerks around. This should teach anyone who thinks that they can take care of themselves that they have "responsibilities" as many as we can find for them. Its better to let government "services" take care of you.
Posted by dbleskey on August 16, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So what happens if the gun is purchased in one City and the loss of the gun occurs in another? Also, what happens if someone is unaware of the loss of the weapon? Does this include the police?
Posted by chuck762 on August 21, 2007 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
More feel good waste of time laws. Will you require the same thing of car owners who claim their car was stolen and used in a crime or hit and run?
Will a law be passed that requires owners of blunt objects to notify law enforcement when they are lost or stolen in case they are used in a crime?
It is already illegal to kill or harm another person. How many new laws do we need to make all you scared little sheep feel better? How about actually putting bad guys behind bars. Oops, that won't work because we wouldn't want to offend them or take away any of their rights correct?
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