A controversial billboard in Oakland advertising the Mete MC9 handgun has been taken down after it was found to lack a required city permit. The billboard, which was displayed for several weeks, provoked public outcry in a city with a significant rate of gun violence. Oakland's 1992 firearms dealer ordinance mandates that any advertising for the sale or transfer of firearms must include a permit issued by the Oakland Police Department. This law was enacted in response to a surge in illegal gun sales and violence in the early '90s and aims to regulate firearms in the community.
The billboard, displaying a handgun, lacked a required permit in a city grappling with high gun violence, prompting its removal after public backlash.
Oakland's 1992 ordinance requires permits for gun advertisements, aiming to control unregulated sales amid rising violence, particularly in the early '90s.
In a city struggling with gun violence, the billboard advertising a California-compliant handgun was a controversial sight, leading to strong reactions from residents.
As of 2025, Oakland experienced a 26% increase in homicides compared to the previous year, underscoring the ongoing crisis around gun violence.
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