S.F. Voters to Consider Banning Handguns

Supervisors want voters to approve a sweeping handgun ban that would prohibit almost everyone except law enforcement officers, security guards and military members from possessing such firearms in the city.

The measure, which will appear on the municipal ballot next year, would bar residents from keeping handguns in their homes or businesses, said Bill Barnes, an aide to Supervisor Chris Daly.

It would also prohibit the sale, manufacturing and distribution of handguns and ammunition in San Francisco.

Barnes said the initiative is a response to San Francisco’s skyrocketing homicide rate, as well as other social ills.

There have been 86 slayings in the city this year compared with 70 in 2003.

The proposal was immediately dismissed as illegal by Gun Owners of California, a Sacramento-based lobbying group.

Sam Paredes, the group’s executive director, said the state has for years had a “preemption law” on the books that prevents local governments from usurping the state’s authority to regulate firearms.

The proposed ban was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Elections by five supervisors, one more than the minimum needed to get the measure on the ballot without signatures from registered voters.

The next election is scheduled for November, although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has talked about calling a special election before then.