The California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence are excited about the Los Angeles City Council and City office elections taking place on March 3, 2009.  The Brady Campaign has endorsed four candidates, all extremely qualified and all strong supporters of our efforts to make our communities safer and decrease gun violence in our neighborhoods and urban areas.            

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has championed sensible gun laws throughout his public service career.  As noted by Kay Holmen, former President of Brady's California Chapters, "Villaraigosa was speaker of the State Assembly before serving on the Los Angeles City Council.  In the Assembly, he was instrumental in the passage of California's Assault Weapons Ban, the strongest of such measures in the U.S.  During his time as Mayor, he has consistently supported the LAPD and state and local bills that promote better safety controls over the sale and distribution of guns and ammunition."             

L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss and Chair of the Public Safety Committee is running for L.A. City Attorney.  President of the Brady Campaign Paul Helmke stated that "Jack Weiss, as a federal prosecutor and as a member of the L.A. City Council, has been a consistent supporter of ensuring that the law enforcement community has the tools it needs to make Los Angeles a safer place."            

The Brady Campaign has made a dual endorsement in the race for the 5th District Los Angeles City Council.  Paul Koretz, former Assembly Member from 2000-2006, was a leader in the California legislature to ban .50 caliber rifles and to require microstamping of new semi-automatic handguns. Community activist Robyn Ritter-Simon was an early organizer and supporter of the Million Mom March.            

The L.A. City Council recently passed new gun and ammunition ordinances tightening restrictions on ammunition vendors.  Council Member Weiss, together with Council Member Janice Hahn, have recently proposed a new law to make it more difficult for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors -- such as carrying a concealed weapon, possessing an assault weapon or committing burglary and gang crimes -- to own a gun.            

The California Brady Campaign Chapters expect the March 3 election will again bring to office leaders to continue L.A.'s leadership in the field of gun violence prevention.