Ballot Initiative for Commonsense Gun Reform

CONSENT CALENDAR BELVEDERE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 14, 2016

To: Mayor and City Council

From: Police Chief Tricia Seyler

Subject: Adopt a resolution in support of the “Safety for All” ballot initiative for commonsense gun reform

Recommended Motion/Item Description

Adopt the resolution and direct staff to forward copies to U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Governor Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, California Senator Loni Hancock, and California Assemblymember Tony Thurmond.

Background

California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom announced a 2016 ballot initiative that would enact stricter gun laws in California. If approved, the package of commonsense gun reforms known as the “Safety for All” Initiative would require instant background checks for purchases of ammunition, strengthen background checks for gun purchases, prohibit possession of large detachable military-style magazines, and require individuals convicted of serious and violent crimes to immediately surrender firearms in their possession. The specific provisions of the draft initiative include:

1. Prohibit Possession of Large-Capacity Military-Style Magazines: The Safety for All Initiative will outlaw possession of large-capacity magazines of 11 rounds or more and provides for their legal disposal. If passed, California would join New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and the District of Columbia in banning possession of these military-style magazines.

2. Treat Ammunition Sales Like Gun Sales: The initiative requires licensing of ammunition vendors and point-of-sale background checks for ammunition purchases. Under the initiative, if a person is convicted of a felony, a violent misdemeanor, has a restraining order or has been declared dangerously mentally ill, they will no longer be able to buy ammunition in California. California will be the first state to require background check at point of sale.

3. Ensure People Prohibited from Owning Guns Do Not Possess Them: The initiative prescribes a clear firearms relinquishment process for those convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor.

AGENDA ITEM NO. : 8 CONSENT CALENDAR BELVEDERE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 14, 2016 Page 2

4. Require Reporting of Lost or Stolen Guns: The initiative requires firearm owners notify law enforcement if their firearm has been lost or stolen. If the Safety for All initiative is approved, California would join 11 other states and the City of Sacramento in requiring lost and/or stolen firearm reporting.

5. Share with Federal System on Prohibited People: The initiative mandates that California share data with the FBI/NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System).

The full text of the Safety for All Initiative is available to view here: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/15-0098%20%28Firearms%29_0.pdf

Findings

Vice Mayor James Campbell requested this item come before the Council for support.

More than 32,000 deaths occur each year in the United States due to gun violence. There have been more than 150 school shootings since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary took place in December 2012. Estimates show that between 1982 and 2014 as many as 78 mass shootings occurred in the United States, and in the vast majority of these instances, the guns used were obtained legally. The Safety for All Initiative is intended to make it more difficult for dangerous people to get guns and ammunition legally in California.

Recommendation

Attachments

Resolution. CITY OF BELVEDERE

RESOLUTION NO. 2016-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELVEDERE IN SUPPORT OF THE ‘SAFETY FOR ALL’ BALLOT INITIATIVE ______

WHEREAS, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom announced a 2016 ballot measure known as the “Safety for All” initiative, which is a package of commonsense gun reforms; and

WHEREAS, the “Safety for All” initiative outlaws possession of large-capacity magazines of 11 rounds or more and provides for their legal disposal; and

WHEREAS, the initiative requires licensing of ammunition vendors and point-of-sale background checks for ammunition purchases; and

WHEREAS, the initiative defines a clear firearms relinquishment process for those convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor; and

WHEREAS, the initiative requires firearm owners to notify law enforcement if their firearm has been lost or stolen; and

WHEREAS, the initiative mandates that California share data with the FBI/NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System); and

WHEREAS, more than 32,000 deaths occur each year in the United States due to gun violence and there have been 150 school shootings since the incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012; and

WHEREAS, California has been a leader in the nation in adopting gun laws that are intended to save lives and increase public safety; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Belvedere believes it would be beneficial to the public safety of citizens of Belvedere and the entire population of the State of California to reduce gun crime.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Belvedere hereby supports the Safety for All statewide ballot initiative.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belvedere on ______, by the following vote:

AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: APPROVED:______Claire McAuliffe, Mayor ATTEST:______Alison Foulis, City Clerk