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Committee backs forwarding ordinance to remove SFPD authorization to join NRA
Summary
The committee voted to forward an ordinance rescinding language in the police code that authorized the San Francisco Police Department to be a member of the National Rifle Association and to collect NRA tournament fees; sponsors and public speakers said the change signals San Francisco's rejection of the NRA after recent mass shootings.
Vice Chair Supervisor Stephanie introduced an ordinance on Feb. 14 that would amend the police code to rescind authorization for the San Francisco Police Department to be a member of the National Rifle Association or to collect tournament fees on the NRA’s behalf. "The NRA has become a toxic and dangerous organization," Vice Chair Stephanie said, linking the measure to last year’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and to what she called an ongoing national epidemic of gun violence.
Multiple members of the public urged the committee to remove the provision from the code. Ruth Borenstein, a San Francisco resident in District 8, said she was "happy to hear that the SFPD supports this" and that "words matter tremendously." Maddie Scott, a founder of Healing for Families in Our Nation, described personal losses to gun violence and said she opposed any relationship between the SFPD and the NRA. Mary Fryer recounted a family member killed and criticized the NRA for blocking what she called "sensible" gun reforms.
Supervisor Walton said the ordinance sets a tone "for other municipalities" and expressed full support. After discussion the committee moved to forward the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; the motion, made by Supervisor Walton, was taken without objection. The committee record shows the San Francisco Police Department has not been an NRA member "for years," but sponsors said removing the code section is still important because it signals city values.
The item will go to the full Board of Supervisors for further consideration.
