Supervisors Implement Ban on County Firearms Purchases from Vendors in Violation of Gun Safety Laws
LOS ANGELES —The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Oct. 22 approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda Solis that implements new processes that restrict the purchase of firearms by any Los Angeles County department to vendors who are in compliance with gun laws and regulations. In July, Hahn and Solis directed the county’s internal services department to outline and propose a purchasing process; today’s motion adopts that process. A recent report from Brady revealed that government agencies across California spend millions of taxpayer dollars on guns and ammunition procured from vendors that are in violation of firearms laws and regulations. In June, reporting by KCAL’s Ross Palombo on a similar motion passed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors prompted Hahn to bring the motion forward for LA County.
“When gun dealers violate our laws and regulations, they’re choosing profit over the lives and safety of our communities. Not one cent of LA County taxpayer money should go into their pockets,” said Supervisor Hahn.
Firearm vendors will now have to certify under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local firearms laws and regulations and that they have not been cited for repeated or serious violations. Among the most concerning violations of firearms regulations is selling firearms to individuals who are prohibited from purchasing them. Research shows a correlation between a vendor’s violation of firearms laws and the likelihood that a gun purchased from that vendor is recovered in a crime.
Last year, Solis and Hahn also led the board in prohibiting all county departments from auctioning or selling excess firearms or ammunition altogether. The move came after it was discovered that the county’s Probation Department planned to auction hundreds of guns to firearm dealers. Firearms no longer needed by LA County departments are now destroyed.
Supervisors Vote to Appoint Compliance Officer to Oversee Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Compliance
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Oct. 22 approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath to appoint a compliance officer to oversee and monitor the LA County Probation Department’s efforts to comply with state regulations that have threatened to close the county’s juvenile hall.
“We need to do everything we can to ensure that our Probation Department comes into compliance with state standards at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall,” said Supervisor Hahn. “We are on the clock now and it is necessary to have a dedicated compliance officer from outside the department who can oversee their work and has the ability to convene multiple departments who can help.”
Over the past two years, the Board of State and Community Corrections or BSCC has issued multiple notices of noncompliance to the LA County Probation Department regarding their juvenile halls. Most recently, on Aug. 12, 2024, BSCC issued a notice that Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was out of compliance with state regulations. Probation had until Oct. 11, 2024, to submit a corrective action plan that would then be reviewed and either approved or denied by the BSCC.
While the BSCC has historically provided technical assistance to Probation to help the department develop a CAP that would be approved, Probation failed to request and receive this assistance during the months leading up to the due date. Probation submitted their CAP to the BSCC on Oct. 11, and that same day, received notice from the BSCC that the CAP was denied. Subsequently, on Oct. 14,, the BSCC sent a formal notice of unsuitability regarding Los Padrinos, giving Probation until Dec. 12, to either come into compliance or vacate the facility.
“Appointing a compliance officer to support the Probation Department will align all County departments in the important work of getting and keeping facilities in compliance with state standards,” said Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “With the many issues the department faces, this additional support will help ensure plans result in action at all levels of the County. Accountability is critical, especially when the wellbeing of our young people is at stake. This is a critical step necessary for lasting change.”
The board approved a motion by Hahn and Horvath to direct the county’s CEO to identify and appoint an internal compliance officer to oversee the Probation Department’s compliance with BSCC regulations and the California DOJ settlement agreement at Los Padrinos. The compliance officer will be appointed within 30 days and will have the authority to coordinate the administration of involved departments. The board also directed the chief probation officer to submit all current and future corrective action plan drafts and any related documents to the compliance officer no later than 20 days before their due date to allow them to provide meaningful input.