City Council Votes For a Review of Any New Gun Dealership

The Capitola City Council has voted 4-1 to require a use permit and council review for any new gun dealerships, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. 

At its Thursday night meeting, everyone except mayor Stephanie Harlan voted for the regulation, which was scaled back from a first draft.

Councilmember Michael Termini wanted staff to rewrite the original draft, which specified a maximum number of gun dealerships, a 2,000 foot distance between gun shops, and a ban on gun shops.

A number of local residents spoke out against the revised ordinance, saying that it violated their second amendment rights and would not stymie gun violence in Santa Cruz County.

In the wake of Tuesday’s fatal shooting of two police officers in Santa Cruz, Councilmember Sam Storey also asked Capitola Police Chief Rudy Escalante to make background checks before investigating crime incidents, even misdemeanors.