Date: Fri, 9 Jun 95 15:51 EST From: Peter Nesbitt <0005111312@mcimail.com> To: Firearms Alert Subject: ANTI-GUN: Legal Community Against Violence - June 1995 newsletter [Forwarded to me from a friendly attorney!] [The "Legal Community" is organizing - why aren't you?] [page 1] Legal Community Against Violence A Fund of the San Francisco Foundation JUNE 1995 Message from the Chair: John R. Heisse, II Since our last newsletter, LCAV has experienced rapid growth and exciting changes. Volunteers serving on our working committees have provided expert testimony on bills pending in Sacramento and defended local gun control ordinances in court. Volunteers and staff are meeting with public school officials to incorporate the STAR (Straight Talk About Risks) conflict resolution curriculum into Bay Area schools and are planning our annual fundraiser. LCAV is also seeking grant funding for an exciting new project: a manual for city and county officials outlining California preemption law as it pertains to the enactment of local gun control ordinances. This manual will provide legal analysis, resource information, and examples of model ordinances that have successfully reduced firearms violence without violating state preemption law. As the second anniversary of the 101 California Street shootings approaches, many of us are reflecting on the tragedy that brought us together to form this organization. I urge you to join LCAV staff, steering committee members, and volunteers at the California Street March. We are asking employers to give employees time off to join hands, and voices, with the hundreds ofother crusaders for an end to gun violence. If you are too busy to volunteer in any other way this year, please make time to participate in this event. Our annual fundraising dinner will be the evening of June 29 (see pg. 2). We will be entertained by nationally renowned musician Clarence Clemons. The dinner promises to be a very special evening where we hope to carry out our ambitious plans for the coming year. With your support we will protect our hard- won legislative victories and lay the foundation for proactive reforms to prevent gun violence while addressing some of the root causes of violent behavior, particularly among our young people. The LCAV staff and I would like to thank our volunteers for helping to build a thriving organization. I look forward to seeing all of you on June 29th. ********** STOP GUN VIOLENCE 2ND ANNUAL CALIFORNIA STREET MARCH Thursday JUNE 29, 12:00 NOON From GRACE CATHEDRAL To The EMBARCADERO (Justin Herman Plaza) San Francisco, CA For information call (415)433-3550 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: In Sacramento the bitter battle aver the speakership resulted in committees being split down the middle, with an even number of Democrats or Republicans voting along party lines. Consequently, it has been nearly impossible to get a bill passed by a policy committee so it can be voted on by the whole legislative body. The following is a summary of the status of bills still pending in Sacramento: SB 933 (Polanco) - pending in Assembly Public Safety Committee (swing vote: Richard Rainey 510-933-9196). This bill would ban the domestic manufacture and sale of cheap, concealable handguns commonly known as "Saturday Night Specials." These guns are currently banned from importation into the U.S. due to their danger to consumers, and because they are not suitable for sporting or self-defense purposes; they are used disproportionately in crimes by young people. LCAV worked closely with law enforcement and other groups to successfully pass this bill through the Senate. Please call your Assembly member now to urge passage of SB 933 when it comes up for a floor vote. AB 632 (Katz) - passed Assembly; sent to Sen. Criminal Procedure Committee. This bill will allow prosecutors to charge the illegal carrying of a concealed firearm as either a misdemeanor or felony. Currently, it is only chargeable as a misdemeanor, whereas the carrying of a dagger or martial arts device is chargeable as a felony. This bill will give law enforcement the tools they require to send a strong message to criminals that illegal firearm possession leads to serious punishment. Please call the following committee members and urge them to vote YES on AB 632: Sen Kopp (415) 952-5666; Sen. Marks (415) 474-0308 (continued on pg. 2) LCAV: 114 SANSOME ST., SUITE 802, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 (415) 433-2062 FAX (415) 433-3357 Printed on Recycled Paper [page 2] Legislative Update (cont.) SB 74 (Leonard): This bill would have forced law enforcement to issue permits to carry concealed weapons to anyone not convicted of a violent crime. Opposed by LCAV. Failed in Committee May 2nd! SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE GOVERNOR: Gun control advocates are concerned about the lack of leadership on the issue of preventing gun violence. Attorney General Dan Lundgren has refused to support any gun control legislation this year. Governor Wilson has been supportive of many gun control measures in the past, but will receive political pressure this year to stay neutral on gun control legislation. Please call or write to both encouraging support pending bills such as AB 632 and SB 933 - State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. An Evening of Remembrance and Renewal Thursday, June 29, 1995 The Westin St. Francis Hotel, Union Square, San Francisco 6:00 p.m. Reception & Silent Auction, The Colonial Room 7:00 p.m. Dinner, The Grand Ballroom $150 per ticket 50% tax deductible Legal Community Against Violence, Handgun Control, Inc., and our Dinner Co-Chairs Kathleen Brown, former California State Treasurer Michael J. Halloran, General Counsel, Bank of America Richard Aborn, President, Handgun Control, Inc. Michelle Scully, Esq., Gun Control Advocate wish to recognize the following early sponsors of this event: Underwriters Morrison & Foerster Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges Patrons Bank of America, Legal Department Graham & James Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro Benefactors W.J. Britton & Company Carol M. Kingsley Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison Lexis-Nexis Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum Littler, Mendelson, Fastif, Tichey & Mathiason Farella, Braun & Martell Long & Levit Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enerson Hambrecht & Quist Nossaman, Guthner, Knox & Elliot John R. Heisse II Pacific Gas and Electric Law Department Hemming Morse, Inc. Pacific Telesis Group Legal Department Hewlett-Packard Company Quorum Estrin Keker & Van Nest Steinhart & Falconer Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati Silent Auction Contributors InnerAsia Expeditions of San Francisco - Grand Prize Domaine Chandon Bill and Sally Hambrecht, Belvedere Winery PlumpJack Cafe Grand Hyatt San Francisco On Union Square Acacia Winery Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Della Santina's Trattoria, Sonoma on the Square U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Moose's Steve Youn, San Francisco 49er Brown Street Grill, Napa James F. Atkinson Beach Blanket Babylon ODC San Francisco Floral Arrangements Donated by Bloomers Graphic Design Donated by Sampson & Moore Pre-Press Donated by Linotext [end]