An Oakland city official says a controversial billboard advertising guns could be violating a city law.
The billboard has been towering over I-880, near Oakland’s Embarcadero and Fifth Avenue. It’s advertising the Mete MC-9, a “California-compliant” handgun from the Turkish arms manufacturer, Canik.
The billboard has polarized the opinion of many residents in a city long-plagued by gun violence.
The Oaklandside obtained an email from Jean Walsh, a public information officer for the City of Oakland. She argues that the ad is subject to a provision in the municipal code that regulates firearm and ammunition sales.
If so, any company selling or advertising firearms or ammunition would have to obtain a permit from the Oakland Police Department.
The OPD said it has not issued a permit to the gunmaker, Canik, nor the billboard advertiser, Outfront Media.City officials and company representatives have not responded to the website’s request for interviews.
