The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to ban the possession of ammunition clips that carry more than 10 rounds, closing what they called a loophole in state law but facing a possible legal challenge from the gun lobby.
Councilman Paul Krekorian said the city proposal fills what he described as a loophole in state law that already bans the sale and importation of large-capacity magazines. The new city proposal would include a ban on possession of such clips.
"We all remember when a gunman walked in to the North Valley Jewish Community Center and fired off 70 rounds at children," Krekorian said as he held up pictures of police officers leading children out of the facility. He was referring to a 1999 incident in which a white supremacist walked into the JCC and opened fire with a semi-automatic gun, wounding five people including three children.
"Just a few months ago, we had a strikingly similar image in Newtown, Conn. It is time for this country to act to stand up to do something about ultra-violent weapons. The state has banned the sale and transfer of these, but not done anything about possession."
The California Gun Foundation has said it was looking at a legal challenge to the proposal.
Councilmen Mitch Englander and Dennis Zine, both of whom serve as reserve officers, said they support the proposal -- which exempts police officers -- because of the need for public safety.
"I have received letters from gun rights groups and advocates who are concerned this is an overstep of our authority," Englander said. "I tell them this is not about taking their guns away, it is about limiting the number of bullets that can be fired."
Zine held up a 15-round clip used by LAPD officers and clicked out the bullets, saying the proposal is the correct approach.
"No one needs more than 10 bullets to protect their families," Zine said. "We are not doing anything to prevent people from owning guns. We are doing what is reasonable."
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