East Bay city seeks ways to curb gun violence

Nov. 20--ALAMEDA -- The seemingly endless news reports of mass shootings has prompted officials of this city -- best known for its small-town atmosphere and low violent crime rate -- to join those demanding stricter regulations to prevent gun violence.

The new local rules could include requiring firearms dealers to carry liability insurance, prohibiting gun sales as a home occupation and requiring the videotaping of all gun sales. All registered gun owners in Alameda also could be required to undergo firearms training every five years.

"We need to be a community that does all it can to prevent gun violence and to make sure we have laws in place to guarantee maximum safety," Vice Mayor John Knox White said at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The City Council voted unanimously to ask city staff to begin drafting the tougher rules, less than a week after a 16-year-old boy shot and killed two fellow students and left three others injured at a Southern California high school in Santa Clarita.

The council's move also follows San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announcing in August that he wanted San Jose to become the nation's first community to require gun owners to carry liability insurance.

Just how many registered gun owners live in Alameda was not immediately available. But there's just one store in town -- Big 5 Sporting Goods at Alameda South Shore Center -- that sells firearms.

The weapons are displayed behind the sales counter. On Tuesday, Councilman Tony Daysog suggested the city require that the guns be less visible as a way to discourage young people from becoming interested in purchasing them.

"We might want to contemplate that," Daysog said.

Ten murders involving firearms happened in Alameda from 2009 through 2018, while there were 12 attempted murders and 282 robberies involving a gun, according to police. Eleven suicides involving a firearm took place during the same period.

There are 38 licensed federal firearms dealers in Alameda County, according to a 2018 list from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Livermore has the highest number, at 11.

Council members said they want any new regulations to have as a top requirement that all guns must be safely stored, but acknowledged the requirement will be hard to enforce.

Currently, California law requires that firearms be stored in a locked container or in a location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure, which safety advocates say is too vague.

Future training of Alameda gun owners could include information on how access to guns can make domestic violence situations worse and how someone in a mental health crisis or struggling with substance abuse may be more likely to contemplate suicide if a firearm is nearby.

"I think it's a public health crisis, and we need to address it as such," Councilwoman Malia Vella said.

Other possible steps include a gun and ammunition tax to fund gun safety and violence prevention programs.

The council's move to beef up local gun regulations follows the city hosting an Oct. 14 town hall on firearms safety at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex, where speakers included state Assemblyman Rob Bonta, Alameda Police Chief Paul Rolleri and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley.

About 65 people attended the town hall meeting.

The new rules also could include prohibiting carrying guns at protests and demonstrations and regulating or banning the possession of firearms and ammunition in parks and municipal buildings.

Gerry Beaudin, assistant city manager, said in a report for the council that "substantial legal analysis" will be necessary before the city enacts any of the options. And any new rules proposed by the council, he said, must be vetted to consider effectiveness, resources and potential conflicts with state and federal law.

About a dozen people turned out for Tuesday's meeting. Some were affiliated with Safe Alameda, a community group campaigning against gun violence. All speakers called for tougher gun regulations.

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft said she was disappointed when students told her they practice active shooter drills when she attended the rededication of Historic Alameda High School in August.

"It just shouldn't be," Ashcraft told council members, adding: "I would just like to see fewer guns, period."

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