SR 06-13-2023 16B
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: June 13, 2023
Agenda Item: 16.B
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records and Election Services
Department
Subject: Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Councilmember Zwick, and Mayor
Davis that the Council direct the City Manager and the City Attorney to, within
60 days, draft an ordinance for council adoption to restrict the sale of guns in
Santa Monica and propose additional gun owner responsibilities. This
ordinance should be based on best practices from other jurisdictions,
stakeholder engagement, and consultation with subject matter experts.
Prepared By: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Firearm Safety Motion_Torosis 06132023
B. Written Comments
16.B
Packet Pg. 620
5.29.2023
Motion by Councilmember Torosis: Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence
as A Harm Reduction Strategy
Leading the world in gun ownership, there are more guns than people in the United
States. As a Country, we surpass every other developed nation on Earth in gun-related
deaths. The United Stated accounts for just 4% of the world’s population but 35% of
global firearm suicides and 9% of global firearm homicides.1 Since 1966, nearly 90%
of all mass shootings resulting in six or more deaths have occurred wholly or partly in
locations where civilian guns were allowed and/or where armed security or law
enforcement was present.2
California’s common sense gun safety laws are extremely effective; we have a 37%
lower gun death rate than the national average. Santa Monica is still not immune to
gun violence. For example, in 2013, a gunman opened fire at Santa Monica College,
killing five people. In the wake of the recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon
Bay, as well as the continued threat of mass shootings, it’s critical that Santa Monica
takes lead on the issue of gun safety and reform. Santa Monica curren tly has
ordinances in place that require gun dealers to obtain a local license to operate, prohibit
firearm sales at home businesses, and require dealers to periodically report their
inventories to law enforcement.
In recent years, surrounding cities have adopted additional restrictions to ensure that
guns are not sold or carried unnecessarily so as to keep our communities safe.
However, in Santa Monica, we have yet to restrict gun dealers from operating near
sensitive areas where children or families are congregating, we do not require dealers
to videotape sales, we do not prohibit unaccompanied minors from entering gun stores,
and we do not require regular police inspections of gun dealer premises. Moreover,
Santa Monica has not adopted safe storage laws to require safe storage in the home
and in vehicles, nor do we require loss and theft reporting. Culver City, Redondo Beach,
Beverly Hills and West Hollywood City Councils have adopted a combination of some or
all of these regulations. San Jose became the first city in the nation to require gun
owners to pay a yearly fee and carry liability insurance. Fees are levied and collected by
a non-profit foundation established to distribute all fee revenue to community-based
programs focused on reducing gun violence.
The City Council therefore directs the City Manager and the City Attorney to, within 60
days, draft an ordinance for council adoption to restrict the sale of guns in Santa Monica
and propose additional gun owner responsibilities. This ordinance should be based on
best practices from other jurisdictions, stakeholder engagement, and consultation with
subject matter experts.
1 https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/
2 Ibid.
16.B.a
Packet Pg. 621 Attachment: Firearm Safety Motion_Torosis 06132023 (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:zinajosephs@aol.com
To:councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre;
Phil Brock
Cc:zinajosephs@aol.com
Subject:City Council 6/13 agenda item 16-B: SUPPORT
Date:Friday, June 9, 2023 5:10:14 PM
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Davis and City Council members,
I strongly support 6/13 agenda item 16-B re the need for an ordinance to restrict gun sales in Santa
Monica, plus any additional measures that could help keep guns out of the hands of children.
Thank you for your consideration.
Zina Josephs
16B.Request of Councilmembers Torosis, Councilmember Zwick, and Mayor Davis that the
Council direct the City Manager and the City Attorney to, within 60 days, draft an
ordinance for council adoption to restrict the sale of guns in Santa Monica and propose
additional gun owner responsibilities. This ordinance should be based on best practices
from other jurisdictions, stakeholder engagement, and consultation with subject
matter experts.New Item Received. 6/09/2023
Staff Report Printout
a.Firearm Safety Motion_Torosis 06132023
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 622 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:Sheila Goldberg
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agend Item 16 B
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 12:06:05 PM
EXTERNAL
I write in support of Agenda Item 16 B. I appreciate the City wanting to make our
communities safer for all by restrictions on the sale of guns in Santa Monica.
I hope other cities will follow your lead
Best,
Sheila Goldberg
--
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 623 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:Melody Hansen
To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de
la Torre
Subject:Gun Safety in Santa Monica
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 1:31:46 PM
EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I am asking that you please support the motion made by Council Members Torosis
and Zwick and Mayor Davis, to restrict and regulate the sales and future sales of
firearms in Santa Monica. It is critically important that during a time when there are
over 300 American gun injuries daily, Santa Monica is doing all it can to protect its
community from gun violence, including taking precautionary, common-sense
measures at sites where firearms are stored, sold and accessed. Please also
consider any additional regulations that will increase public safety against the threat
of gun violence including gun-owner liability insurance and safe storage standards for
homes and vehicles - policies that are supported by many responsible gun owners.
As Santa Monica is a neighbor to many other small cities as well as the west side of
greater Los Angeles, your policies directly impact the safety of these other
neighboring communities as well.
Thank you,
Melody Hansen
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 624 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:William Perdomo
To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de
la Torre
Subject:Common Sense Gun Measures
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 1:39:38 PM
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Council Members,
I am asking that you please support the motion made by Council Members
Torosis and Zwick and Mayor Davis, to restrict and regulate the sales and
future sales of firearms in Santa Monica. It is critically important that
during a time when there are over 300 American gun injuries daily, Santa
Monica is doing all it can to protect its community from gun violence,
including taking precautionary, common-sense measures at sites where
firearms are stored, sold and accessed. Please also consider any
additional regulations that will increase public safety against the threat of
gun violence including gun-owner liability insurance and safe storage
standards for homes and vehicles - policies that are supported by many
responsible gun owners.”
As Santa Monica is our neighbor, their policies directly impact the safety of
our community here in Culver City.
Thank you
-Will
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 625 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:Peter DiChellis
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 16B Firearms
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 2:57:53 PM
EXTERNAL
In one of the least safe cities in California, a full ten (10) months after LASD transferred responsibility, there is still no Santa Monica CCW application process,
yet you demand these restrictions be processed in 60 days?
Another lawsuit in the making? The City must be flush with money.
“City Could Face Lawsuit Over New Gun Licensing Fee” - in Santa Monica Lookout
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/March-
2023/03_20_2023_City_Could_Face_Lawsuit_Over_New_Gun_Licensing_Fee.html__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!tTO5SCYsvDc1ltOfCNR_XsUmWB6TE-
xNFshllVVKYjL4fZkOBHTBSOHaX2XTYIPSQtV2VtnK-cCVRXn6ogux811CUQj6qV8$
“City Faces Potential Lawsuit For Raising CCW Fees” in Canyon News
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.canyon-news.com/city-faces-potential-lawsuit-for-raising-ccw-
fees/168267__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!tTO5SCYsvDc1ltOfCNR_XsUmWB6TE-xNFshllVVKYjL4fZkOBHTBSOHaX2XTYIPSQtV2VtnK-
cCVRXn6ogux811Cu_uwv2o$
Attorney interprets Torosis stated CCW position - on twitter
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/MorosKostas/status/1636167340269404162__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!tTO5SCYsvDc1ltOfCNR_XsUmWB6TE-
xNFshllVVKYjL4fZkOBHTBSOHaX2XTYIPSQtV2VtnK-cCVRXn6ogux811CbAjpdk0$
Sincerely,
Peter DiChellis
Santa Monica 90403
-END-
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 626 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:modistmoz
To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis
Subject:E-comment request for Item 16-B
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 5:24:35 PM
EXTERNAL
Dear Council members,
I wanted to reach out regarding item 16-B on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting and
ask that you please support the motion made by Council Members Torosis and Zwick
and Mayor Davis, to restrict and regulate the sales and future sales of firearms in
Santa Monica. It is critically important that during a time when there are over 300
American gun injuries daily, Santa Monica is doing all it can to protect its community
from gun violence, including taking precautionary, common-sense measures at sites
where firearms are stored, sold and accessed. Please also consider any additional
regulations that will increase public safety against the threat of gun violence including
gun-owner liability insurance and safe storage standards for homes and vehicles -
policies that are supported by many responsible gun owners.
Thank you for all you do and your consideration of this request.
Michelle
She/Her
"There is no happiness greater than your own. Make today wonderful." - Michelle Parrella,
LCSW #26719
www.YourBestLifeTherapy.com
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 627 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:Rhonda Foster
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 16B
Date:Monday, June 12, 2023 11:18:18 PM
EXTERNAL
I write in support of Agenda Item, 16B as it is absolutely critical that this type of ordinance be
drafted, because it is the very reasonable thing to do. When it comes to limiting the sale of
guns and greater safety measures put in place for gun owners to be as responsible as possible,
gun violence can be prevented. As an individual that personally knows the impact of losing a
loved one to gun violence and caring for another family member that was injured by a gun,
your determination to create the ordinance will not be in vain, but will keep loved ones of the
community safe.
Thank you,
Rhonda Foster
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 628 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)
From:WAGV
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 16B re: firearm regulations
Date:Tuesday, June 13, 2023 10:46:25 AM
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers:
I write in SUPPORT of Agenda Item 16B and appreciate the City’s efforts to prevent gun
violence and help keep our children, family, neighbors, and community safe.
Thanks you for addressing this important issue.
Loren Lieb
Women Agains Gun Violence, Board of Directors
16.B.b
Packet Pg. 629 Attachment: Written Comments (5810 : Protecting Our Community from Gun Violence as A Harm Reduction Strategy)