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Joe Varelo, 3851 Mohr Avenue, said a "Saturday Night Special" is considered to be an ill manufactured gun that might harm the user. The ordinance does not refer to this. The ordinance should address the standards of manufacturing. He asked Council if it understood what 24,100 copper units of pressure was. He asked Council if it knew what it was voting on today? He felt this ordinance was a prohibition on the sale of legitimate guns. This ordinance will not protect the people. A criminal will not abide by this ordinance. He is opposed to it. Chris Olson, 4304A Valley Avenue, said for twenty years he has studied the issue of gun control. He said there are no significant studies that show that gun control reduced crime. In fact, all of the competent studies show that gun control increases crime rate. Washington DC, which has the strictest gun control in the United States has the highest crime rate. He did not understand why Council wanted to pass this ordinance: The study done by Gary Kleck of the University of Florida, shows that gun ownership by law abiding citizens prevented as many as 500,000 deaths a year. He said 24 % of murders in the United States occur without firearms. He was in opposition of the ban of the sale of guns. There are no studies that support the goal Council is trying to reach with this ordinance. Dr. John Toth, 101 Jennie Drive, Pleasanton Hill, 94523, said the people were not here about gun, children, or emotions, but rather freedom. Many people think they know the definition of freedom and liberty. Liberty is the ability to do what you want to do and go where you want to go. Freedom is political protection to exercise one's own rights to protect life, liberty, and property. We have a constitution as a guard to protect our rights. He said -- something has to be done to stop the government from taking citizens rights. This ordinance is really about freedom. He urged Council to vote against this ordinance. Individuals must have the right to bear firearms. Brian Simmons, 2177 Armstrong Drive, said he was opposed to the ordinance. He believed Council should pass an ordinance that fills the need of the community. This ordinance does not satisfy any such need. He stated two reasons why these guns might be considered evil: 1) the red herring issue that these guns are dangerous to the user; and 2) the guns are being used for crimes. But there is no evidence that supported junk guns were being used in crimes and there is no information in this report that supports the ban of "Saturday Night Firearms". If these guns are not used to commit crimes in the community or are dangerous to the user, then this is a useless ordinance. These guns are simply a means of protection for those on a limited income. ~ i~, /, ;~Ed Hagberg, 3686 Touriga Drive, said he has heard a lot about "Saturday Night Special" firearms. He said the ordinance is trying to define a gun that did not even exist. He said all gun manufacturers must follow the same requirements. The difference between cheap guns and expensive guns was the type of metal used. The cheap guns do not blow up; they wear out. He contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission and asked how many recalls there had been on junk guns. Not one recall was listed, but here was a recall on beebee guns in 1997. The manufacturer took care of the problem. He contacted four university law libraries and Pleasanton City Council 07/12/97 Minutes 4