Dear Friends,
On Tuesday night, the San José City Council passed the Gun Harm Reduction Ordinance. This ordinance was intended to reduce gun violence by imposing an annual fee and requiring insurance on lawful, responsible gun owners. The fees would be distributed to a “gun harm reduction non-profit” with no oversight of the funds collected. I stood alone in opposition to this measure because it will not be effective in reducing gun violence in our city. The ordinance was split into two separate votes because my colleagues wanted to vote first on the insurance requirement and second on the fee. While I appreciate Councilmembers Mahan and Foley’s support of my stance against the fee, I alone opposed the insurance requirement.
We can all agree that guns are dangerous when used irresponsibly. Every life is precious, and lives lost due to gun violence are especially tragic. But punishing lawful gun owners who purchase a firearm for their own protection will not reduce gun violence in our city. The ordinance does not address the lives lost due to ghost guns, gang shootings, or other deaths by gunfire. Instead, it imposes senseless regulations on responsible gun owners. As policymakers, my colleagues and I have a responsibility to make sound policy decisions that address our community’s most pressing concerns. Gun violence reduction needs to be addressed urgently and with skill. My plan is to:
Remove ghost guns from our streets
Revitalize Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force
Educate residents about local safe storage law
Educate residents about Emergency Restraining Orders
Design gun safety education & establish annual gun buyback
As I stated at the council meeting, the type of insurance the City Council is imposing on gun owners does not exist and will not likely reduce the acts of gun violence as the Mayor suggests. Additionally, without proper oversight on the funds collected, there are no mechanisms to evaluate whether the fees will be effective at reducing gun violence.
Many details of this ordinance remain unclear. I do not believe my colleagues and I should move forward with sweeping policy changes that will affect the lives of thousands of San Joséans without knowing the full impact of our decisions. The Mayor took exception with my careful questioning on Tuesday night, but I believe the ordinance will not be effective, and I will continue to be guided by my principles. My responsibilities will always be to the residents of San José, not the Mayor.
Best,
