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Dead Constitution See other Dead Constitution Articles Title: Movement To Ban Firearms In San Francisco Movement To Ban Firearms In San Francisco KGO By Carolyn Tyler Nov. 2 - When you go to the polls one week from today, state propositions aren't the only measures some voters face. There are local issues as well. In San Francisco, voters will decide whether to try to ban guns in the city. Pat Barsetti owns a Smith and Wesson. Pat Barsetti, gun owner: "This has always given me a sense of protection." She would be forced to give up her gun if Proposition H passes. Four San Francisco supervisors put the measure on the ballot. It prohibits "residents from possessing handguns" in the city and bans "the manufacture, distribution, sale and transfer of firearms and ammunition" in the city. Chris Daly is the chief sponsor, motivated in part by the shooting death of 15-year-old Scharod Fleming outside a Tenderloin YMCA last year. Chris Daly, San Francisco supervisor: "If we can get handguns, some of the handguns out of the hands of some of the criminals, then we'll make a small dent in some of the homicides and that is the intent of this legislation." Guy Smith monitors and writes about gun control nationwide. He says Washington, D.C. and Chicago have bans and they don't work. Guy Smith, gun expert: "Washington, D.C. has been the homicide capitol of America for 14 of the last 15 years." But in Bayview Hunters Point, a neighborhood plagued with violence, Shawn Richard has founded a group called brothers against guns. He thinks Prop H could make a difference. Shawn Richard, Brothers Against Guns: "Uzis or Mac 10s, stuff like that is being used on the streets of San Francisco that are only supposed to be used for the war. How are they getting in here? So I'm supportive of this ban on these guns." The San Francisco Police Officers Association isn't. Cops say the bad guys will always have weapons, ordinary citizens will be vulnerable. Gary Delagnes, Police Officers Association: "To basically send a message to every criminal in San Francisco that 'hey, if I'm a burglar or a robber and I want to climb in somebody's window, I'm pretty self assured there won't be a weapon in there." Prop H allows police to carry weapons, but only while on duty. This retired officer worries about what might happen in an emergency, like a major earthquake. Larry Barsetti, Coalition Against Prohibition: "A good percentage of our officers still live outside the city and those who live here will be disarmed. It makes absolutely no sense." If voters okay the ban, it would take effect in January and residents would have another 90 days after that to turn in their guns. Keep in mind, opponents are already planning a legal challenge if the measure passes. >> Video On Demand: Build Your Own Newscast Copyright 2005, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT. Carolyn Tyler ABC7 News Team Carolyn Tyler, General Assignment Reporter
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