October 22, 2024

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda Solis that implements new processes that restrict the purchase of firearms by any Los Angeles County department to vendors who are in compliance with gun laws and regulations. In July, Hahn and Solis directed the County’s Internal Services Department to outline and propose a purchasing process; today’s motion adopts that process. A recent report from Brady revealed that government agencies across California spend millions of taxpayer dollars on guns and ammunition procured from vendors that are in violation of firearms laws and regulations. In June, reporting by KCAL’s Ross Palombo on a similar motion passed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors prompted Hahn to bring the motion forward for LA County.

“When gun dealers violate our laws and regulations, they’re choosing profit over the lives and safety of our communities. Not one cent of LA County taxpayer money should go into their pockets,” said Supervisor Hahn.

Firearm vendors will now have to certify under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local firearms laws and regulations and that they have not been cited for repeated or serious violations. Among the most concerning violations of firearms regulations is selling firearms to individuals who are prohibited from purchasing them. Research shows a correlation between a vendor’s violation of firearms laws and the likelihood that a gun purchased from that vendor is recovered in a crime.

“Gun violence continues to harm our communities, and as the County, we must ensure we do our part in keeping our residents safe. This includes ensuring that those seeking to sell firearms to the County of Los Angeles are in compliance with federal and state laws. These commonsense regulations will set the standard for firearm vendors across the County and minimize the number of weapons sold to those who should not have access to firearms,” said Supervisor Solis.

Last year, Solis and Hahn also led the Board in prohibiting all County departments from auctioning or selling excess firearms or ammunition altogether. The move came after it was discovered that the County’s Probation Department planned to auction hundreds of guns to firearm dealers. Firearms no longer needed by LA County departments are now destroyed.