The United States Conference of Mayors sent an open letter to President Barack Obama Tuesday, signed by mayors throughout the country including Campbell's Evan Low.
"My commitment is to protect all citizens in the city of Campbell and to provide a safe environment for all to live, work and play," Campbell Mayor Evan Low says. "Policy makers should continue to work to protect the freedom afforded by our constitution, while also protecting our citizenry from harm."
The letter, attached in this article, included this:
'We urge you to take immediate action: the President to exercise his powers though Executive Order and Congress to introduce and pass legislation to make reasonable changes in our gun laws and regulations. Specifically we call on you to:
- Enact legislation to ban assault weapons and other high-capacity magazines being prepared by Senator Dianne Feinstein and others;
- Strengthen the national background check system and eliminate loopholes in it; and
- Strengthen the penalties for straw purchases of guns.
The city of Campbell has also been working on tightening gun laws. Below is a list of some of the way Campbell has regulated guns gun sales, Low says.
- In September 2011, the City of Campbell adopted an ordinance requiring firearms dealers to obtain a permit and to meet strict accountability and security standards in the interest of public safety. (Campbell Municipal Code Chapter 5.45 and 8.12)
- Dealers are required to pay an annual permit fee and are subject to regular inspections by the Police Department to ensure compliance with the regulations.
- Dealers must meet stringent physical security requirements for their businesses, firearms, and ammunition.
- Dealers must conduct background checks through the Dept. of Justice on their employees who have access to firearms and ammunition.
- In September 2011, the city of Campbell also enacted an ordinance regarding the reporting of lost or stolen firearms. The ordinance made it unlawful for any person who owns or possesses a firearm to fail to report the theft or loss of that firearm to the Police Department within 48 hours of becoming reasonably aware of the theft/loss.
- Currently, Campbell only has one licensed firearms dealer (Big 5 Sporting Goods)
How do you feel about guns in Campbell? Do you think enough has been done or is there more to do?
