CITY COUNCIL BANS SNIPER RIFLES IN L.A.Byline: - Mariel Garza Saying they wanted to make the city safer, members of the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted unanimously Tuesday to start the process of banning the sale or possession of .50 caliber sniper rifles Sniper rifles:Regular 'sniper' rifles. Including scoped variants of regular weapons, dedicated designs, dedicated marksman variants, etc..
The large weapons, used by the military and SWAT teams First developed in the 1960s by local law enforcement agencies, Special Weapons and Tactics units, or SWAT teams, have become common in police departments throughout the United States. , are increasingly turning up on the city's streets in the hands of criminals, said Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas Mark Ridley-Thomas (born 1954) is currently a California State Senate where he chairs the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee]]. He represents the 26th district which includes the communities of Vermont Knolls, Jefferson Park, Leimert Park, Hancock Park, Korean , sponsor of the proposed ordinance. ``We are faced with a crisis that has to be arrested,'' Ridley-Thomas said. ``Such weaponry contributes very, very radically to diminishing the quality of life.'' The council directed the city attorney to draft the ordinance, which will be subject to review and approval by the council. John Burt of the .50-Caliber Shooters Association said the gun, which is popular among target shooters, has never been used in any criminal acts in the state. Some of the council members were shocked by the size of the 28-pound rifle when one was placed on a table before them. As Councilman Nate Holden cradled the hefty weapon, he said he carried a bazooka bazooka, in warfare, portable, lightweight metal tube from which rockets are launched, usually operated by two men. It is used by infantry as an antitank weapon and also for attacking pillboxes and bunkers. during his military service, and even that storied shoulder firearm was tame in comparison. ``A bazooka is not as heavy as this, the firepower not as deadly as this,'' Holden said. ``I got to tell you, I don't see any reason why we should have this in the front yard or anybody's homes except on the battle lines.'' ``I do support the people's right to bear arms The right to bear arms refers to the right that individuals have to weapons. This right is often presented in the context of military service and the broader right of self defense. ,'' said Councilman Tom LaBonge. ``But this is more than arms. This is like a cannon.'' The council is also considering a ban of high-performance ammunition, which includes the ammunition for the sniper rifle. City News Service contributed to this report. |
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