TARGETING POPULAR HANDGUN\Draft ban ordered for council review.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

A Los Angeles City Council panel took another step Monday in an effort to establish a citywide ban on the manufacture and sale of "Saturday Night Specials" - a class of cheaply-made handguns.

The Public Safety Committee ordered the City Attorney's Office to draft a proposed ordinance that - if approved by the full council - would put that ban into effect.

West Hollywood passed a similar law about a month ago.

The panel also directed the city's attorneys and the LAPD to establish that sufficient crimes are committed with the guns to pose a hazard to public health and safety.

Assistant City Attorney Henry Morris said such a record is necessary to protect the city against lawsuits claiming the ban is arbitrary.

The ordinance was opposed by gun shop owners and others.

Robert Ricker of the American Shooting Sports Council, the lobbying arm of the firearms industry, said residents should be able to own handguns to protect themselves.

He said banning inexpensive guns discriminates against people who cannot afford to buy quality weapons.

"You are really placing poor people in this city at a great disadvantage," Ricker said.

Councilman Mike Feuer called Ricker's charge of economic discrimination "insulting."

"It deepens the commitment of someone like me to make sure that these weapons are off the street," Feuer said.

The ordinance received support from Anthony Borbon of the Violence Prevention Council and Ann Reiss Lane of Women Against Gun Violence.

Lane said the guns too often are used in crimes, and are available to young people.