LA County Board Calls for Better Scrutiny of Firearm Vendors

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday called for the development of a process requiring that vendors looking to sell firearms to the county certify under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with all federal, state and local firearm regulations and have not been cited for repeated or serious violations.

The county’s Internal Services Department and other relevant agencies were instructed to report back to the board in 90 days with a proposal for implementing the requirement.

“Research shows a correlation between (a Federal Firearm Licensee’s) violation of firearms laws and the likelihood that a gun purchased from that vendor is recovered in a crime,” according to the motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis. “Of the gun dealers that supplied almost 60% of crime guns nationwide, 75% had violated federal law.

The motion states that the county should have high standards for prospective firearm contractors.

“The board can and should develop and implement a countywide process that ensures that county departments only purchase firearms from licensed firearm vendors who are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and have not been cited with ongoing or serious violations,” according to the motion.