MOTION-- After many years of vastly reduced rates of violent crime in Los Angeles, there has been a significant recent spike in shootings. LAPD is finding that untraceable firearms built from kits or components, also known as "Ghost Guns/ are frequently being used in violent crimes. The prevalence of Ghost Guns makes it easier for unauthorized individuals to obtain firearms. These guns also make it more difficult for law enforcement to identify and arrest perpetrators. As such, the proliferation of Ghost Guns presents a significant threat to the health and safety of the City's residents.
The City Attorney's office is analyzing strategies to combat the presence of Ghost Guns in the City. The City Attorney is requesting Councils authority to retain Every town Law and Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to provide pro bono legal assistance, at no cost to the City, to assist in this work. The City Attorney has confirmed that there are no legal conflicts which would preclude either law firm from providing services on this matter.
It is imperative that the City Attorneys Office have all the tools necessary to stop the proliferation of Ghost Guns on City streets.
I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Attorney be authorized to negotiate and execute contracts with Every town Law and Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, to provide pro-bono services to the City Attorneys office supporting its efforts to develop and implement legal strategies to stop the proliferation of Ghost Guns.