AMMO CLIP EXEMPTION OK'D; COUNCIL ACTION AIDS FILMMAKERS DESPITE WORRIES ABOUT VIOLENCE.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer The Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted Tuesday to exempt film companies
from a ban on using large ammunition clips ammunition clipn. See cartridge clip. despite objections that the action will contribute to crime by allowing movies to glorify gun violence. Councilman Mike Feuer said his intention in winning approval of an ordinance that bans the transfer of ammo magazines carrying more than 10 rounds was to reduce gun violence on the street, not keep film companies from using the clips with blanks in motion pictures and television shows. ``The point of the ordinance was to get tools of violence off the street, not to inhibit the shooting of blanks on movie sets,'' Feuer said. Several companies that provide weaponry to Hollywood warned that the original ordinance might have chased away some movie productions. Council members Mike Hernandez, Rita Walters Rita Walters (1930-) is currently the commissioner of the Los Angeles Public Library. Prior to this position, she served on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 9th district. During that time, she chaired the Arts, Health & Humanities Committee. and Nate Holden Nathaniel "Nate" R. Holden (1929-) served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1987 to 2002. He previously served a term on the California State Senate and was Assistant Chief Deputy to then Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. voted against the exemption, saying they fear that glorifying weapons encourages crime. ``From my perspective, I have a difficult time doing that right now, with the crime that is going on in the streets, hearing about the six people who were shot last night on the streets of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. ,'' Hernandez said. Holden said he recently attended a movie and was horrified hor·ri·fy tr.v. hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing, hor·ri·fies 1. To cause to feel horror. See Synonyms at dismay. 2. To cause unpleasant surprise to; shock. by the violence. ``I could barely look at it,'' he said. ``For an hour and a half there was just shooting and killing. . . . All they are portraying is violence - the thing you want to stop.'' Feuer said banning the use of large ammo clips in Los Angeles productions would only send film crews out of the city. ``Applying the ordinance to prop companies in L.A. would not have the effect you're promoting, which is to somehow lessen the amount of violence depicted in movies,'' he said. Despite exempting film companies and museums, the ordinance still faces a lawsuit from other gun enthusiasts. Howard Watts Howard Hugh Watt , (b. Mar 1, 1911, Rosebank, Cape Town, Cape Province. d. Aug 17, 2005, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) was the last surviving pre-war Springbok and part of the legendary South African rugby team nicknamed 'The Invincibles. told the council that it is being discriminatory in exempting film companies while continuing to apply the ban to average residents. ``How about the law-abiding citizens who want to be able to defend themselves in their home and on the street?'' Watts asked the council. ``You're discriminating against one segment of the community over another.'' |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion