Politics & Government
Los Gatos Town Council Approves Extension of Gun Sales Moratorium
By a unanimous vote, the five-member body puts prohibition on future sales of weapons until Feb. 2, 2014.
The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved extending beyond 45 days an emergency moratorium on the sale of retail firearms, ammunition or destructive devices during its meeting Monday evening.
The five-member body plans to tackle the issue again in June when staff will have policy direction and action recommended on the divisive issue.
The extension will give town staff more time to research a potential ordinance to designate which areas in Los Gatos would be appropriate for such sales, including proximity to schools, parks and selected establishments.
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The temporary prohibition was extended for 10 months and 15 days, or until Feb. 2, 2014 and may also be extended a second time for up to an additional year, according to a staff report.
Los Gatos Mayor Barbara Spector asked Council members Joe Pirzynski and Marcia Jensen to serve on a Council ad-hoc subcommittee to further study the issue.
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As in past meetings about the retail sales of firearms in the wake of the December 2012 opening of Templar Sports, the public comment was mixed, but largely polite, constructive and articulate, as highlighted by Spector.
Opponents and proponents had mixed opinions on whether to adopt new ordinances/policies as quickly as possible, or to take the time needed to get it right with broad public participation and review.
Pirzynski said a motion made by Jensen to approve the moratorium's extension was appropriate and indicated why it was necessary for government officials to have time to work through the creation of any kind of code or language that will allow conditional uses for the sales of firearms.
"This is a complicated issue and requires appropriate evaluation," Pirzynski said. "The intention is to come back before the July recess to get at least a status report, if not a complete outline of what will be in the language of any future ordinance."
—For comprehensive coverage of Los Gatos gun retailer Templar Sports' opening in town, please see our topic page by clicking here.
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