COUNCIL OKS NEW LIMITS ON GUN SALES.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval Wednesday to measures that ban the sale of small, concealable handguns and that require fingerprinting of gun permit applicants.

The measures, supporters said, would help reduce the availability of weapons carried on the street, especially by those with criminal records.

``These concealable, compact weapons are in fact weapons of choice for criminals,'' said Councilman Mike Feuer, one of the measure's co-sponsors.

Opponents of the gun-sale measure argued that women, the elderly, the handicapped and others with small or weak hands need the smaller weapons for self-defense. They contended the law would prevent only law-abiding citizens, not criminals, from obtaining weapons.

Joe Vampola, a Lawndale resident, said he needs a smaller gun because he is missing fingers from his left hand and his right hand is sore because he has to rely on it more often. His wife also has access to their gun at home, which is kept locked in their bedroom. Their gun, he said, could not be sold in Los Angeles under the proposed ordinance.

``This is an unfair law,'' Vampola said. ``It's going to affect me and my wife, but it won't affect the criminals.''

Supporters countered that there were other weapons still available for sale that were lightweight and could be handled by someone with grip problems, but were less-easily concealed. The measure applied to weapons smaller than 6.75 inches in length and 4.5 inches in height. Proponents also noted that it did not ban possession of current weapons, only the sale of new ones.

The gun measure passed by a 9-2 vote, with Councilmen Hal Bernson and Rudy Svorinich dissenting.

The fingerprint measure requires gun dealers to get thumbprints from any prospective gun buyer. Supporters, including the City Attorney's Office, said about 5,000 people a year with criminal records try to buy guns in California, but few are prosecuted for the attempts.

Fingerprints would provide law enforcement with the evidence to prosecute people for such attempts. Opponents argued that someone with a criminal record could obtain a weapon without going to a licensed dealer.

The fingerprint measure passed 10-1, with Svorinich dissenting. ``I don't think we're taking a gun out of the hands of a person who wants to commit a crime with it, because I don't think they go into gun stores and purchase them,'' Svorinich said. ``I think they get them from other means.''

Because the required 12 council members were not present for the vote, the item was held over for a second review next week, when it is expected to pass. Council members Laura Chick, Joel Wachs and John Ferraro were absent from the council session, and the seat held by former Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, who is now in the state Assembly, remains vacant.