Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 02, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2020-087 SUPPORTING THE UNTRACEABLE FIREARMS ACT AND THE UNDETECTABLE FIREARMS MODERNIZATION ACT (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
In February 2019, Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, 64th District, introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 879 relating to ghost guns and state background checks for firearm frames and receivers. On May 14, 2020, a group of several Democratic senators introduced a bill banning untraceable “ghost guns” amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic is fueling a spike in demand for the weapons.
Ghost guns are often made with 3D printers or using gun-making kits, along with essential parts like receivers, which can be altered and assembled by people at home. People who would not normally pass a background check to build potentially deadly weapons, have the ability to sidestep safety regulations and avoid detection from law enforcement.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following action:
WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 2020-087 “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE SUPPORT OF THE UNTRACEABLE FIREARMS ACT AND THE UNDETECTABLE FIREARMS MODERNIZATION ACT INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN, SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS AND 12 OTHER US SENATORS”
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate that is consistent with the requirements of law.
IV. BACKGROUND
In February 2019, Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, 64th District, introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 879 relating to ghost guns and state background checks for firearm frames and receivers. AB 879 seeks to improve public safety by protecting the rights of gun owners while preventing criminals and those who should not otherwise possess a firearm from gaining access.
On October 11, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom approved AB 879 requiring a state background check for individuals seeking to purchase firearm frames and receivers by requiring the Department of Justice to electronically approve the purchase or transfer of firearm parts through a licensed vendor.
In late 2019, at a Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California a student with a pistol shot five schoolmates, killing two, before killing himself. The weapon used - a Ghost Gun. Ghost guns, also known as kit guns or 80-percent guns, are virtually untraceable weapons that can be made at home using legally purchased parts to complete the 80% already assembled. These ghost guns are sold online and at gun shows. According to law enforcement, nearly half of all guns used in recent crimes in Southern California involved these ghost guns, which have no serial numbers and do not require background checks or a waiting period.
On May 14, 2020, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala D. Harris joined a group of 12 Senators to introduce the Untraceable Firearms Act, which would cover both the ghosts guns and components of the gun-making kits. The approval of Resolution 2020-087 will aid the Senators and Assemblymember Gipson’s crusade.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
NONE
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 2020-087 (pg. 4-5)
Prepared by: David C. Roberts, Jr., Assistant City Manager