On Aug. 7, Mayor Eric Garcetti signed into law a gun safety measure that bans the possession of high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 bullets in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, 2nd District, displayed one of the gun magazines that will banned under the new law at a press conference on Aug. 7. He was joined by Mayor Eric Garcetti and gun control supporters. (photo courtesy of the 2nd Council District Office)

The measure was introduced by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, 2nd District, and was approved on July 28.

“I am committed to reducing the gun violence in our city,” Garcetti said. “This ban is part of that larger effort. It will help keep our streets safer and help prevent the magnitude of mass shootings. We are sending a clear message — we will not wait for Washington to act, we are ready to act now.”

Garcetti was joined at a signing ceremony by Krekorian, law enforcement officials, leaders of gun safety organizations and a survivor of gun violence.

“Los Angeles is now the largest city in California to ban the possession of large-capacity magazines,” Krekorian said. “These magazines may not be the cause of gun violence, but when shooters use them, tragedies turn into massacres. I introduced this legislation just one month after Sandy Hook because I believe that elected officials at all levels have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent mass shootings from taking innocent lives. More than two years later, I’m proud that L.A. has acted, even as Congressional leaders shamefully sit on their hands. Our city is now at the forefront of the national dialog on how to promote gun safety and prevent gun violence, and I urge other cities, states and the federal government to join us.”

The law was initially drafted following the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2013, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adults. Over the last 10 years, more than one million people have been killed or injured by guns and, on average, a mass shooting has occurred once every two weeks. The measure will not only help prevent mass tragedies, but also reduce gun violence on the streets and in neighborhoods, Garcetti said.

“The city of Los Angeles is taking a courageous step and we have that courage because of our leaders, law enforcement, coalition partners and victims and survivors who get up every day and have the courage to fight for what is right and our right — the freedom to live in a society free of gun violence,” said Suzanne Verge, president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.