CCMIN071297 - Laserfiche WebLink

Tom McKean, 4635 Whiting Street, felt this ordinance should go to a vote. He carries a 22 magnum pistol when he goes hunting. As a bus driver for over 17 years he could tell what children were going to get in trouble. Not because there were guns laying around, but because of lack of parental authority. He believed parents should teach their children from the beginning that guns are killing machines. This ordinance will not teach children what they need to know. If the junk guns on the list are taken away then others will follow and the killings will be done by other means. The people need a means of protection against the enemy. We need to teach people to love one another. He felt if this ordinance was passed then there needed to be a ban on liquor and drugs. Randy Coates, 4849 Smithgate Ct, also felt the responsibility for the children lies with the parents. He felt it would benefit all if gun safety were taught in school. Banning the guns will not help crime. He suggested having everyone carry a concealed weapon to try and stop crime. If the junk guns are taken away then next month it will be something else. He asked how the gun locks would be enforced. How does Council expect people to protect themselves. He urged Council not to support this ordinance or AB488, AB23 and SB500. Debbie Dittner, 125 South Blvd, #1, San Mateo, said she was in opposition to the ordinance. How will Council feel when something happens to the people who cannot defend themselves. She wanted to know if Council believed that this ordinance was not infringing on the fights of the people to keep and bear arms. She felt Council was using this ordinance as an excuse to improve the safety of the community. According to studies done, when people were given the opportunity to carry firearms, the crime rate was down. Does Council want to be responsible for the increase in crime. How does Council have the right to decide what guns are safe or not. She urged Council not to support this ordinance. David Stauffer, 1955 Brooktree Way, agreed with the previous speaker. He asked what prompted the ordinance and how the ordinance would correct the problem. He asked what the concern was about the location of gun dealers. He said he would not be concerned if a gun dealer were next to him in a residential area or next to a school. What is wrong with the gun dealers selling guns out of their homes. He felt guns were already closely regulated. Sherry Matlock said someone tried to break into her home a few years past. The suspect was not bothered until her husband cocked the gun. She said her niece was raped and murdered in a room that had a gun. She believed the gun would have saved her life if it had been used. The second amendment is to empower people. If this fight is taken away the power is being given to the government. She urged Council to vote no on this ordinance. Norm Thomas, 4886 Woodthrush Rd, spoke at length against the ordinance. Judy Symcox, 1450 Groth Circle, did not want be in a controlled environment. She wanted to choose her own crowd to run around with. She did not believe in doing anything just because everyone else is doing it. She asked what would be in store when all residents were Pleasanton City Council 07/12/97 Minutes 8