CCMIN071696 - Laserfiche WebLink

Jeanne Foster, 375 Sycamore Road, Pleasanton, indicated she and her husband have been participating in gun shows since her husband's retirement. She indicated home dealers are law abiding and felt there are misconceptions about gun shows. They are family oriented, with demonstrations on safety issues, and activities for children. Pleasanton is a safe place to live and it does not need gun control. John Metzler, 3513 Churchill Court, Pleasanton, referred to various court cases supporting the right to keep and bear arms. There being no further testimony, public comment was closed. Ms. Dennis indicated when she brought this ordinance to Council's attention, it was on the basis of zoning and whether people should have home businesses. She felt in order to accommodate home gun dealers, the zoning code would have to be amended so as not to discriminate against other occupations not allowed in residences that receive deliveries, customers, etc. She felt those activities should be in areas zoned for that and there are many areas that would allow this business to be conducted. She did not want this use in residential areas. The prohibition on certain weapons is a safety issue. She does not know enough about weapons to determine if the list in the proposed ordinance is accurate and would like more information. She did not think it is necessarily a good argument that certain weapons are disproportionately used in crimes. She felt it was an economic issue; the cheaper the product, the more people will buy it. She would be concerned if certain firearms are unsafe. If someone is buying a firearm for protection, the person has a right to have a reliable weapon. If this is sent on to the Planning Commission, that issue should be studied more closely. There is an inference that other cities with more of a crime problem are somehow causing a problem because of these ordinances. Law enforcement in Oakland has a very difficult problem. She also indicated people target cities for litigation because they think the cities have "deep pockets", and cities need to share in responsibilities when we regulate things. She felt this is an activity of responsible adults, and the city can set out reasonable rules. That does not violate Second Amendment rights. We have set out the areas where people can operate their business, have firing ranges and clubs, etc. We are not discouraging responsible people, merely setting out rules. Mr. Pico was disappointed that the staff report was not signed by the Police Chief and no representative from the Police Department was at this meeting. He had questions that need answers. He felt the facts may be blurred and he needed more information before referring this to the Planning Commission. He wanted the following further information: how many Saturday Night Specials have been sold in Pleasanton; crime statistics; police response to perceived legal guns becoming illegal and other issues. He supported gun regulation, and believed there could be balanced regulation and still protect the people's rights to own a gun. He felt Council has a requirement to regulate business activities in the community. The proposed ordinance may be overly broad in that it does not allow for a conditional use permit in residential areas. There is a continuing change in the way we do business and live our lives with more people working out of their homes. This ordinance says there can be no home deliveries, but UPS and Federal 07/16/96 -23-