Pistols Banned (Press, 30 June 1982)

On 30 June 1982, San Francisco became the first major American city to impose a ban on most residents from owning pistols. The city's Board of Supervisors passed the legislation with a vote of six to four, and it was promptly signed into law by Mayor Dianne Feinstein. This decision was heavily influenced by the city's struggles with gun violence, notably illustrated by the memory of the assassination of Feinstein's predecessor, George Moscone, and supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978. Feinstein emphasised the need for stricter gun control, stating, "We have had enough of death, dismemberment and desecration in our society." Statistics from the previous year revealed that out of 126 murders in San Francisco, at least 40 were committed with pistols, highlighting the urgency and justification behind the new regulation. Under the new law, pistol owners among the city's population of approximately 700,000 residents will be given a 120-day grace period to dispose of their firearms. Failure to comply with the law after this period would result in penalties, including a possible jail term of 30 days and a fine of $5,000. However, the law does not extend to rifles or shotguns. Exemptions are made for gun collectors, members of shooting sports groups, and shop owners who possess police permits to have firearms. Opposition to the ban was swift, particularly from the National Rifle Association, which announced intentions to challenge the legislation in court.

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