Gun dealer regulations could tighten with this move by LA County Board of Supervisors
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors moved forward with a new ordinance Tuesday to strengthen gun and ammunition dealer regulations in the area.
"We need to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands and part of that effort is ensuring gun and ammunition dealers are acting responsibly," said Supervisor Janice Hahn, one of the officials who proposed the ordinance. "These are commonsense regulations that will make sure gun dealers have basic security measures in place, maintain inventory and keep records of who they sell guns and ammunition to."
The ordinance proposed by the board applies to gun and ammunition dealers in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, and would require that:
- Ammunition dealers get a business license and comply with requirements applicable to gun dealers. Previously, ammunition-only dealers were not required to have a specific business license.
- Minors in stores that sell guns and ammunition must be accompanied by an adult. Mixed-use stores will be required to only have sight separation.
- Stores maintain an annual sales report, keep a fingerprint log of purchasers of guns and ammunition, maintain a weekly inventory report, have security cameras in place and have signs displayed in stores that warn customers about the risks associated with access to guns.
- Suspended and revoked licensee names be publicly posted by the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
- Annual license fees for both initial applications and renewals are increased.
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This ordinance is the third regulation of its kind proposed by Hahn. The first two ordinances were implemented earlier this year and banned the sale of .50 caliber firearms and prohibited carrying firearms on LA County property. The ordinances are part of the board's comprehensive approach to preventing gun violence and raising awareness of gun violence restraining orders, officials said.
If approved at the board's second hearing, the ordinance will take effect 30 days later. The second board hearing is scheduled for Nov. 7.