Proposition H was a local ordinance on the November 8, 2005 ballot in San Francisco, California, which gained national attention for its banning of most firearms within the city. The measure passed with a yes vote of 123,033 to a no vote of 89,856. The proposition was later struck down in court. Proposition summary Proposition H sought to restrict handgun possession among San Francisco residents within city limits to police and certain security professionals, and to ban the manufacture, distribution, sale and transfer of firearms and ammunition within the city. Limited exceptions to the proposition would have allowed residents to possess handguns only if 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 while on duty. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors enacted penalties for violation of this ordinance, including mandatory jail time. Until April 1, 2006, residents would have been able to surrender their handguns to any district station of the San Francisco Police Department or the San Francisco Sheriff's Department without penalty (no refund of buying cost was planned). The main sponsors The measure was placed on the ballot with supporting signatures from Supervisors Tom Ammiano, Chris Daly, Bevan Dufty and Matt Gonzalez. Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier initially supported the ordinance but formally withdrew her sponsorship on February 23, 2005. Groups in opposition San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco Examiner Asian Week Frontlines The Argonaut San Francisco Deputy Sheriff's Association San Francisco Police Officer's Association San Francisco Veteran Police Officers Association BART Police Officers SEIU Local 1008 California Association of Highway Patrolmen Fraternal Order of Police (California State Lodge) Chinese American Democratic Club Coalition For SF Neighborhoods The Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council Mexican American Political Association Outer Mission Residents Association Richmond District Democratic Club San Francisco Housing Rights Association San Francisco Pink Pistols The National Rifle Association Results at the polls The City population of San Francisco is at least 805,235, without counting people not registered, or travelling/working in the metro area. Demise in the courts Proposition H would have taken effect January 1, 2006, but enforcement was suspended by litigation. On June 13, 2006, in the case of Fiscal v. City and County of San Francisco (Case No. CPF-05-505960), San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren struck down the ban, saying local governments have no such authority under