San Diego Mayoral Candidates Sound Off on Assault Weapons

On Tuesday, Mayoral candidate David Alvarez criticized his opponent, fellow Councilman Kevin Faulconer, for not supporting a ban on assault weapons, but Faulconer said he agrees with Alvarez on the issue.

Alvarez issued the criticism two weeks before the two face each other in a Feb. 11 runoff election to see who will finish the nearly three years remaining in the term of Bob Filner.

"Military-style weapons don't belong on our streets or in our schools," Alvarez said. "It's just common sense, and I don't understand why my opponent hasn't made the same commitment as me."

In March, Alvarez introduced a resolution to support federal legislation restricting such high-powered firearms. He subsequently won the endorsement of the bill's author, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Alvarez listed several people and organizations in his camp on the issue, including state Attorney General Kamala Harris, the Latino Peace Officers Association, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and former Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent and Poway Unified School District board member Kimberly Beatty.

Late this afternoon, Faulconer issued a statement that said, "We need strong laws to keep assault weapons and illegal guns off the streets and away from our children -- on this, David and I agree."

He also reiterated his support from Sheriff Bill Gore and the San Diego Police Officers Association.

Earlier today, Faulconer announced endorsements from four local Democrats, including Barbara Ybarra, a San Diego public affairs consultant and granddaughter of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez; and Jeff Van Deerlin, son of former Democratic congressman Lionel Van Deerlin.

Bruce Williams, a community leader in Southeast San Diego, and Kristen Victor, founder of Sustainability Matters, also endorsed Faulconer.

"It's not about partisanship, it's about leadership," he said. "I'm running a campaign supported by San Diegans, not out-of-town politicians or special interests."

On Monday, Faulconer criticized his opponent for receiving the bulk of his campaign donations from organized labor, and sources in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

—City News Service