San Francisco gun ban delayed
to June 19

By Julia Cheever, Bay City News Service

February 27, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced today that a city handgun ban won't go into effect until at least mid-June while a Superior Court judge ponders a National Rifle Association challenge to the measure.

The delay until at least June 19 was agreed to by attorneys for the city and the NRA, Herrera said.

A postponement in enforcement was strongly recommended by San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren at the close of a hearing on the NRA lawsuit on Thursday.

Warren has until mid-June to issue a written ruling on the claim by the NRA and four other groups that the handgun ban should be struck down because it conflicts with state gun laws.

The handgun ban was passed by San Francisco voters in November. It bans possession of handguns by city residents except for law enforcement officers and others who need guns for professional purposes.

The measure also prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer and distribution of firearms within the city.

Herrera spokesman Matt Dorsey said, "We think a voluntary stay is the best, most prudent course in the midst of this litigation."

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

####