CCMIN071297 - Laserfiche WebLink

He commended the police department for responding to situations quickly and courteously. Everyone has a right to defend themselves and should be able to buy inexpensive handguns. Bill Melton, 7580 Driftwood Way, thanked Council for giving the public the opportunity to speak today. He said the residents were not angry. Every time there is talk about gun control, the residents are categorized as angry anti-government citizens. This is not true, regardless of what side people were on. People should be able to voice their opinions. He felt this would be a bad law. People should be able to buy whatever gun they want. He did not think dealers would sell junk guns because of the liability involved. He said Council should really think about any law that took away rights. He asked Council to listen to the people and vote no. Dorene Parasdiso, 3168 Paseo Granada, asked each of the Councilmembers if they had ever heard the clicking of a gun to the head. She said she had and the gun used on her was purchased illegally. After calling the police about a stalker, she was told there was not much that could be done. She bought a gun to protect herself and her family. She felt banning legal sales of the listed guns would not help to reduce crime, but enforcing current laws would. She is not a gun enthusiast. Her work experience has provided her with reality checks. She believed that if someone wanted a hand gun they would get it. This ordinance would not stop them. She has never been one to follow but to lead. She believed in doing what is fight. She asked Council to make the right decision. Larry Reece, 240 Kottinger, said violence is a serious problem in society today. lust prohibiting the sale of weapons would not correct the problem. The children need to be educated and taught to have respect for others. He felt the Livermore list of unsafe guns was arbritary. He said he owned one of the guns on the list and it came with a lifetime warranty. Mill Quails, 4090 Peregrine Way, asked about question 26, that states that less than six percent of cities' crimes were caused by hand guns in the last seven years and less than two percent of those were homicides. He asked the Police Chief how many children were involved with handguns and/or the "Saturday Night Specials". The Police Chief said none. Mr. Quails felt this ordinance should not be in existence. He suggested Council should spend its time on something else. Frank Belecky, 892 Madeira Pk, believed some rights have to be given up to protect others. He felt there was no reason not to pass this ordinance. Pleasanton has a great Police Department and a low crime rate. He would like it to stay that way. He felt a home with children should not have firearms. Pleasanton City Council 07/12/97 Minutes 7