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Report: Police Can Confiscate 'Public Nuisance' High-Capacity Ammo Clips

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A draft ordinance proposed by the Los Angeles City Attorney's office would declare large-capacity ammunition magazines a "public nuisance" and authorize police to confiscate and destroy them.

KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports the proposal from City Attorney Carmen Trutanich was met with some skepticism.

Report: Police Can Confiscate High-Capacity Ammo Clips As 'Public Nuisance'

In a report delivered to the City Clerk's office, the proposed municipal ordinance would provide for high-capacity ammunition clips of more than 10 rounds to be taken off the streets by law enforcement, confiscated and destroyed as a public nuisance that threatens the public health, safety and welfare.

Trutanich filed the ordinance in response to a motion by City Councilmember Paul Krekorian and at the request of the City Council's Public Safety Committee on Feb. 22 to draft a municipal law that would authorize a ban on large-capacity magazine clips.

Under California law, the manufacture, sale or exchange of large-capacity ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds is prohibited.

"We believe this ordinance supports Councilmember Krekorian's interest in getting high-capacity ammunition magazines off our streets," Trutanich said. "Cities across the country must stand up to America's gun violence epidemic and do whatever possible to save lives and spare families from the needless tragedy of firearm death and injury."

California gun rights groups have already signaled they would challenge such an ordinance if passed by the City Council.

However, some Angelenos suspected the move was fueled more by political opportunism than anything else.

"Would this subject have really come up if it hadn't for the latest shootings?" said resident Barry Kirby. "It just seems like jumping on the bandwagon."

Kermit Hill also noted that Trutanich is running for reelection, with a recent USC Price/Los Angeles Times poll showing Trutanich running slightly behind opponent and former legislator Mike Feuer.

"I think it's more pandering for votes," Hill said. "As far as being a legitimate opinion, it may be his opinion, but I think it's a bunch of bull."

Click here (PDF) to read the full report from City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

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