West Hollywood Seeks to Limit Handgun Purchases

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved a motion asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting a person from buying more than one handgun a month.

Several states have passed similar ordinances, but West Hollywood could be the first city in the state to limit the handgun purchases, said West Hollywood Councilman Paul Koretz.

“Since this limit of one handgun a month passed in concept by the council, when the city attorney drafts the ordinance, I have no doubt it will be implemented,” Koretz said.

The City Council took the action Monday night.

Last month, Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Feuer filed a motion to limit purchases of handguns from gun shops in Los Angeles to one per customer per month. The motion asked police and legislative analysts to return to the council in 30 days with a proposal for an ordinance.

The West Hollywood ordinance would crack down on “straw purchasers”--people who buy guns legally in bulk, then resell them to others who may not legally possess firearms, city officials said Tuesday.

“This is a tremendous step forward toward halting illegal gun sales to dangerous criminals, and toward making the Greater Los Angeles Area a safer place for our families and children,” Koretz said.

In 1995, West Hollywood became the first city in California to ban the sale of small, cheap handguns known as Saturday night specials. More than 30 California cities have since passed similar bans.

On Sept. 29, the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld California cities’ power to ban sales of the Saturday night specials.