Position on Gun Control

By Barbara Heller

Based on these facts, I believe that there is a need to regulate firearms in our Society. There have been important steps in that direction by the California State legislature, and I approve of those steps. As a member of the City Council in San Rafael, I have been an advocate at the local level for banning the sale and production of "Junk Guns" in San Rafael and restricting the sale of guns in residential areas.

I further oppose gun shows being held in public facilities. The database system the state uses to register gun owners must be improved so that law enforcement officers can readily access criminal records, and I will support the necessary financing of this improvement.

I support increase penalties for crimes and gun law violations involving the use of assault weapons or junk guns. I support the Attorney General's definition of assault weapons, and I see no reason not to ban all such weapons.

I do not support restricting the sport of hunting or the use of firearms in this respect.

From a poll by the Washington Post-ABC News:

About a third of the teenagers have heard a student threaten to kill someone, and only a few of them reported the threats to a teacher or other adult. Four teens in ten say that they know students troubled enough to be potential killers. A fifth of the teenagers personally know someone who has brought a gun to school. About half are growing up in homes with guns, and more than half say it would be easy for them to get one. Two in three say it would be easy for them to get information on how to make a bomb.

Based on this poll, I believe that we must strengthening precautionary measures against violence in our schools. In San Rafael, I have asked our local police to work closely with the school to ensure that there is no incident like the Littleton, Colorado massacre. This should be extended to schools through California, not to intimidate students, but rather to protect them and to engender an increased feeling of trust for law enforcement and a secure feeling to implement learning.