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County firearms‑procurement ordinance fails on tie vote after heated public comment
Summary
A proposal to bar the county from buying guns and ammunition from dealers with documented compliance problems — modeled on San Diego City's new law — drew fierce public comment and failed to pass on a tie vote, with the item continued for the next meeting.
The Board of Supervisors debated a county ordinance proposed by Vice Chair Lawson Reamer that would restrict county firearm and ammunition purchases to vendors without documented compliance problems, seeking to replicate a model adopted by the City of San Diego.
The proposal was pitched as a public‑safety measure intended to prevent county procurement dollars from flowing to dealers cited for violations of federal, state or local law. "This ordinance will make sure that the county only buys from dealers who prioritize safety and follow the laws," said Therese Heimer of San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention.
During public comment, opponents called the proposal an overreach and a solution to a problem they said does not exist in county procurement. One speaker asked whether the county had historical procurement problems and whether the policy would unfairly burden law‑abiding dealers. Supervisor Jim Dozen (as transcribed) argued the county already screens vendors and checks federal disbarment, calling the measure "a solution to a problem that doesn't exist here at the county." The motion to adopt the ordinance failed in a tie vote and the item will be continued at the next meeting for further consideration.
Clerk records show the measure failed due to a tie and, under board rules, will be continued if the board does not set a specific continuation date. Vice Chair Lawson Reamer said she would continue work with partners and the sheriff’s office on procurement language if the board asked her to do so.
