In the wake of the recent VTA mass shooting, the city of San Jose has passed sweeping measures in an effort to tamp down gun violence.
On Tuesday, the city council voted to establish an annual fee for gun owners to cover the cost of gun-related emergency response and medical treatment, making San Jose the first in the country to pass such a rule.
The council also approved requiring gun owners to purchase liability insurance.
Mayor Sam Liccardo said during the virtual meeting that while the second amendment exists, it does not mean the taxpayers should shoulder the costs of subsequent gun violence.
"There is no one law or policy that is going to solve the public health crisis and gun violence epidemic," said a member of the public during the comments portion of the meeting. "However, a holistic and proactive approach, like the proposed common sense measures, will reduce gun harm in San Jose,"
Violators of the new laws could have their guns impounded.
Some are not a fan of the new laws, and anticipate a legal battle. "We feel very strongly that it is clearly unconstitutional for the government at any level to require some sort of fee before somebody could exercise an enumerated constitutional right," said Sam Paredes, Executive Director of Gun Owners of California. “
The rules in the form of an ordinance will be back before the city council in September for a final vote.
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