Oxnard Public Hearing On Banning Lawful Firearm And Ammunition Sales

URGRENCY MORATORIUM WOULD BAN NEW STORES SELLING AMMUNITION OR FIREARMS

On November 27^th, the Oxnard City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an interim “urgency” ordinance which would impose a “temporary” moratorium prohibiting any new retail firearm and ammunition businesses from opening in the City.

This is not the first time that local jurisdictions have sought to limit your ability to purchase a firearm and ammunition under the guise of local zoning initiatives. Anti-gun-owner cities typically try to block new retailers from opening for a period of 45 days and then, while that initial ban is in place, move to extend the moratorium for the full two years. That’s the maximum period allowed by law while they (pretend to) “study” the safety issues of having a firearm retailer in the City.

There are already other firearm retailers operating in Oxnard, and they pose no threat to the safety of the community. These stores would be allowed to continue to operate.  We are unaware of any new stores attempting to open in the City, so the timing of this effort is suspect. Many times, the bias against firearm retailers is caused by the City being lobbied by anti-gun groups and the moratorium is a pretext to advance their agenda to shut down gun stores entirely.

STAND AGAINST THIS ATTEMPT TO BAN FIREARM RETAILERS!

If you are in the area, please attend the Public Hearing on November 27, 2018 at 6:00P.M. at the Council Chambers, 305 W. Third Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030 to voice your opposition.

Some Talking Points Are:

• What specific dangers have existing firearm retailers in the City and area posed to public safety?
• The City already allows these types of businesses and they do not pose any potential harm to the residents or surrounding areas.
• Why is the City seeking to limit lawful businesses in the area?
• What groups has the City and their employees met with regarding this proposal?
• Firearm retailers are already some of the most heavily regulated businesses in the nation.
• This action will not make the City safer. It will encourage criminal elements in the city because criminals do not follow the rules and purchase firearms from legal retailers and they will know that the citizens of Oxnard have fewer opportunities for protecting themselves.
• Oxnard already has a violent crime rate that is 17% higher* than the national average with a 25% increase in homicides in 2018.
• Is the City trying to limit citizens ability to protect themselves?**

If you cannot make the meeting, please take a moment to draft an email and/or letter to the City Clerk in opposition to the proposed moratorium. Send your comments to:

Michelle Ascencion

Oxnard City Clerk

300 West Third Street

Oxnard, CA 93030

 

You may also email the City Clerk at cityclerk@oxnard.org

Note:

* https://www.areavibes.com/oxnard-ca/crime/

**https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/oxnard/2018/02/15/serious-crime-oxnard-down-11-1-overall-2017-but-slayings-show-25-increase/325123002/