Supervisor Daly says gun industry should be liable for violence

By Ari Burack, Bay City News Service

June 15, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly, responding Wednesday to a gun rights group's call for him to personally finance any appeal of the recent decision to strike down San Francisco's handgun ban, announced that he would pay for the appeal -- if the gun industry agrees to civil liability for firearm violence in the city.

The Second Amendment Foundation's Tuesday call for Daly to pay out of his own pocket to defend what it referred to in a statement as an "outrageous measure'' (Proposition H) prompted Daly to fire back with his own offer.

Daly responded in a statement saying, "I hold the gun industry responsible, not only for pain and suffering, but also for the fiscal impacts to San Francisco families and local government. I gladly will personally pay for San Francisco's appeal of Judge Warren's decision, when the gun industry agrees to civil liability and pays for damage they have caused families and local governments.''

According to Supervisor Daly's office, an estimate prepared by the San Francisco Controller's Office determined that San Francisco spends over $31 million each year for public safety and health and human services costs related to firearm violence, and that the estimated net present value of the loss of life related to firearm violence in the city is over $124 million.

On Monday, San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren struck down the handgun ban passed by city voters last year, saying the measure conflicted with state laws regulating handguns.

On Tuesday, City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced that San Francisco would appeal the ruling.

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