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draw publicity. He does not think that the community at large supports an ordinance of this type. He stated it would be more effective to write our Congressmen regarding this matter. He felt that the City Council is elected to regulate growth measures, not control weapons. Ms. Melva Mavridis Spencer stated she has lived in Pleasanton most of her life and is opposed to semiautomatic weapons in this town; she wants to keep the community in the safe condition it has always been. She stated this ordinance is a preventative measure to see that nothing bad happens in our town. Mr. James Van Cleat, 2955 Kilkare Road, Sunol, stated that the police cannot protect the citizens; their defense weapons are not effective. He stated he owns nine guns, seven of which would fall under this ordinance. He stated he uses his guns for target practice only. He stated the Constitution was enacted to allow people to have this freedom. He advised that the Government issued weapons to train people for the defense of the country. He stated the proposed ordinance would ban 70% of these weapons, which are used for sporting activity only. He stated the real problem is to get the felon off the street. He urged Council not to take these weapons from responsible citizens. Mr. Stanley Rathbone, 325 Ray Street, stated there are more problems with motorcycles and cars on the roads than with guns. Mr. Frank Belecky, 892 Madeira, stated that citizens have a right to keep guns; guns do not kill people, people kill people. He advised that the Government gave away assault weapons after World War II. He stated that gun control by federal legislation in 1968 has been the most effective legislation regarding this matter. He did not think there is need for people to have military assault weapons; rifles are effective. There is no reasons why a few persons cannot sacrifice these assault guns to protect the majority of the community. He stated he is not against people owning firearms as long as the firearms are for sports only. Police Chief Eastman stated that he has not spoken for the City of Pleasanton or the City Council. He speaks for the California Police Chiefs Association, who has debated this issue for four years, and in February of this year took a 50-1 posture to ban military assault weapons. It was moved by Councilmember Brandes, and seconded by Mayor Mercer, to support the ordinance passed by the County of Santa Clara, and be willing to join in an amicus curiae in support of this type of legislation. Councilmember Butler stated he would prefer to use the resolution suggested by the Police Chief, primarily because it does not get the City of Pleasanton involved in someone else's fight; he does not want to support another city's ordinance. He - 6 - 3-7-89