Proposition H

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Proposition H was a proposed ordinance that would ban the manufacture, distribution, sale and transfer of firearms and ammunition within San Francisco, California, United States.

The Proposition would also have prohibited San Francisco residents from possessing handguns within city limits. An exception would allow residents to possess handguns if it is required for specific professional purposes. For example, San Francisco residents who are security guards, peace officers or active members of the U.S. armed forces would be permitted to possess handguns.

The Board of Supervisors would be required to enact penalties for violation of this ordinance.

Proposition H would have taken effect January 1, 2006, but was suspended pending litigation. Until April 1, 2006, residents could surrender their handguns to any district station of the San Francisco Police Department or the San Francisco Sheriff's Department without penalty.

On November 9, 2005, the San Francisco Chronicle reported[1] that voters had approved the proposed measure by a margin of 58% to 42% (with 98% of precincts counted).

On June 13, 2006, San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren struck down the ban, saying local governments have no such authority under California law, siding with the NRA, which sued on behalf of gun owners, advocates and dealers the day after the measure passed. [2]