This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Dear L.A. Gun Owners: The City Attorney Wants to Remind You of A Few Laws
In this Dec. 2007 photo, guns are collected by the LA County Sheriff's Department in a similar gift card "exchange" program as the LAPD's Buyback program (Photo by Sundogg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Gun owners in Los Angeles can expect to hear from Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich soon reminding you of all the laws you agreed to abide by when you bought your firearm. Well, assuming you bought your firearm legally.
Trutanich says he and California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck will be making use of the state AG's office's database of registered gun owners to send out a letter in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting rampage, according to the Daily News.
Says Trutanich:
"The letters confirm the responsibility to report the transfer, sale, loss or theft of a firearm to the state Department of Justice. Our goal is to make sure that gun owners know that they must store their guns safely, keep them locked up and away from children and, if the gun is to be sold or it is stolen, the sale must be reported."
Of course, some Angelenos may recall that Trutanich has been unfavorably linked with the National Rifle Association in past political efforts:
In his 2009 campaign against former Councilman Jack Weiss, Trutanich was repeatedly criticized for the involvement of his former law firm with the National Rifle Association and a letter sent out by the NRA Victory Fund urging voters to support Trutanich.
Speaking of stances on gun control and campaigns, Trutanich is already slogging a hard road to re-election in 2013, and one of his prime opponents, former Assemblyman Mike Feuer, "has been speaking out about the need for stronger gun control laws."
Sponsored message
On the off chance you did not come to obtain your gun(s) by following the letter of the law, if you'd prefer to spend a hundred bucks (or two) at Ralphs than keep that illicit firearm stashed in your closet, you may want to head to the two venues where Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is holdinga second gun buyback event this year on December 26.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
