It may be the battle of the ban as an unusual coalition of gun rights activists, both gay and straight, and libertarians are joining forces to derail a proposed handgun ban in the city of San Francisco, CA.

More than two months ago, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) fired the first verbal shots in the battle, reminding the city that in 1982, the last time a gun ban was attempted in San Francisco under then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein, a SAF lawsuit brought the ban to a screeching halt.

According to a statement from the Outright Libertarians of the San Francisco Bay Area, that organization is joining with the Pink Pistols, Gun Owners of California, California Rifle and Pistol Association and other civil liberty and gun advocacy groups to condemn the proposed ban. The proposal would ban handguns outright, and allow for their confiscation by the police, and would also ban the sale or manufacture of rifles and shotguns, and ammunition within the city limits.

In their statement, the libertarian group noted, “It has long been held that your home is your castle, and you have the right to defend it, yourself and your loved ones against aggression. Outright Libertarians note the same principle applies to every human being, whether they are male or female; gay, straight or bisexual; and whether their loved ones are of the same or opposite gender. By banning handguns altogether and the local sale of other firearms and ammunition, every San Franciscan’s most effective means of defense while at home would be barred or discouraged.”

Under the referendum proposal, handgun owners would have to surrender their sidearms within 90 days after Jan. 1, 2006, the date on which the ban would take effect if it is approved by voters in November.

Non-residents would not be subject to the law if they happen to be inside the city temporarily. If passed, the measure would only affect one regular firearms business, High Bridge Arms, apparently the only gun shop within the city limits. However, there are two other businesses with firearms licenses that cater primarily to collectors: Bonham’s at Butterfields and Greg Martin Auctions. Both do two or three major auction sales annually, according to Gun Week sources. These auctions can involve as much as $20 million in a single year, with a significant number of sale items being covered by the same regulations that govern all federal firearms licensees.

As reported in the Jan. 1 Gun Week, the measure was placed on the ballot by five members of the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors: Chris Daly; Bevan Dufty; Tom Ammiano; Matt Gonzales, and Michela Alioto-Pier. No other action was necessary under the law, which requires a minimum of four sponsors. It was submitted directly to the Department of Elections.

Michael Acree, chair of the Outright Libertarians’ San Francisco chapter, noted, “I do not want to be turned into a sitting duck by the Board of Supervisors.”

“It is incredible,” said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, “that in a city where the government has supposedly taken a lead in defending individual rights and freedoms, it is still considered acceptable to practice social bigotry, so long as gunowners are the victims.”