Krekorian Introduces Motion to Seek Study that Could Lead to Ban of High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines

Councilmember Paul Krekorian Tuesday introduced a motion Tuesday that could lead to a ban on the possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines within the city of Los Angeles.

In his motion, the Councilmember, a member of the Public Safety Committee, referenced both the North Hollywood shootout 16 years ago in which two heavily armed gunmen stormed a local bank and attempted to overpower an outgunned LAPD and the Newtown, Connecticut massacre that took the lives of 26 children and adults. In both instances, a high powered high assault rifle was used.

"While high-capacity magazines are not the cause of gun violence, they do make such tragic cases far more deadly," he said.

Currently, state law bans the sale of high-capacity magazines but not the possession of such clips. 

"This gap in the law threatens public safety, because on the streets of Los Angeles, high-capacity magazines pose a daily threat to our citizens and police officers," Councilmember Krekorian said. 

The motion by Councilmember Krekorian asks the City Attorney, the Chief Legislative Analyst and the Police Department to report on "the feasibility, effectiveness and benefits of an ordinance to prohibit the possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines within the City of Los Angeles."

The motion will next be heard in the Public Safety Committee before it returns to the full Council for consideration. The motion is attached.