LA Council Considers Ban On 'Open Carry' Gun Laws
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti is asking the city attorney to look into prohibiting the "open carry" of unloaded guns, which is currently allowed by state law.
City News Service says Garcetti on Friday was seconded by six of his City Council colleagues on the motion, which he called necessary in the wake of recent shootings in Tucson and gun-related incidents on LA school campuses this week.
Garcetti says carrying even an unloaded handgun can be intimidating and threaten public safety.
Executive Director of Gun Owners of America Sam Paredes said such a ban is "contrary to state law" and said his group will "challenge it in every way we can."
Democratic Assemblyman Anthony Portantino has introduced statewide legislation that would ban the carrying of unloaded and exposed handguns.
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