Do Sacramento's strict gun laws really work?



Sacramento has some of California's toughest gun laws in a state already stingy when it comes to firearms.

Gun-control proponents say the city's regulation help reduce violent crime and illegal firearms.

During February, the city's Law and Legislation Committee, which recommends new ordinances to city council, had to meet several times to brainstorm ways to crack down on gun violance. The committee discussed several proposals, including strict regulations for new gun shops and bans against owning certain kinds of high-powered ammunition.

If Sacramento doesn't pass new gun-control measures, state lawmakers may do so anyway. California Legislature currently has several bills pending that would, among other things, slap a tax on ammunition and prohibit gun sales to anyone under 21.

Sacramento already has landmark restrictions on firearms. Gun dealers must electronically submit customer fingerprints and personal information to the police department. And city residents must report all lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours or risk facing a misdemeanor.

According to Councilman Kevin McCarty, who introduced those laws in 2007, the city's tough stance on firearms has already paid off. The ammunition ordinance has helped officers from the Sacramento Police Department seize 230 guns from people who shouldn't have them - including convicted felons with violent records, gang members and sex offenders.

Last year, McCarty also proposed rules that would require firearm dealers to buy liability insurance and obtain a special permit to operate within the city limits. He believes the city currently doesn't have enough control over gun shops.The council's Law and Legislation Committee may vote on the proposal later this year.

Gun-control advocates give a thumb-up to the city's strict rules, which they believe has contributed to lower crime rates.Sacramento had 36 homicides last year, down from 57 in 2006.Thirty of those 36 murder victims from 2012 were killed using a firearm. Compared with places like Fresno or Stockton - cities about the same size as the capital but with higher homicide rates - Sacramento has fewer incidents of deadly gun violance.

Local opponents of gun control see things differently.



Sam Paredes, executive director for Gun Owners of California, thinks the city's firearm and ammunition rules are "onerous for law-abiding citizens". He also doubts whether those laws are effective, for a lot of firearm users simply leave the city to buy guns and then to bring them back in.

In fact, the police has seized fewer guns recently from enforcing the city ammunition ordinance. Based on his conversation with the police department, McCarty believes more criminals are avoiding Sacramento's gun shops to head for cities with looser rules.

Paredes is much happier with Sacramento County's gun policy, especially the amount of concealed-weapons permits issued by the sheriff's department (99 to 95 percent of permit applications for concealed firearms last year).

Thus, even if Sacramento's tough laws are working, there is still no way to actually count how many illegal firearms exchange hands on city streets.The task force has conducted sting operations to stop illegal gun purchases, and the results are sobering.