CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR: WHERE THEY STAND

These are the positions of the major candidates for governor of California
on public safety issues.

Issue: DEATH PENALTY

Lungren: Opposes expansion of the death penalty.

Checchi: Supports extending the death penalty to cover serial rapists and
repeat child molesters. (A 1977 Supreme Court decision found a Georgia law
on the rape issue unconstitutional.)

Davis: Opposes expansion of the death penalty.

Harman: Opposes expansion of the death penalty.

Issue: GUN CONTROL

Lungren: Backs tougher sentences for criminals instead of banning
additional weapons. Has said a ban on ``Saturday night specials'' is ``an
illusion.'' Says he is now neutral on copycat assault weapons ban because
his office is defending the current law in court, but he has previously
opposed expanding assault weapons ban to include copycats. Supports
rigorous background checks for handgun buyers and limiting the size of
ammunition clips.

Checchi: Would ban cheap handguns known as Saturday night specials and
expand assault weapons ban to include copycat models. Would require trigger
locks and push for improved nationwide tracking of firearms used in crimes.
Supports prohibiting large-capacity magazines and ``cop-killer'' bullets
and make it a felony to carry a concealed gun without a permit. Would
require license for those who buy or sell more than 10 handguns a year.

Davis: Supports ban on Saturday night specials, except for sales to peace
officers, and copycat assault weapons. Favors some ``form of demonstrated
proficiency'' before people can buy handguns, but has not called for
mandatory registration.

Harman: Supports ban on Saturday night specials and copycat assault
weapons, defined as firearms capable of handling more than 10 rounds.

Issue: JUVENILE JUSTICE

Lungren: Sponsored legislation to lower the age at which juveniles can be
prosecuted as adults from 16 to 14. Expanded list of crimes constituting
street gang activities and prohibited gang members convicted of felonies
from possessing or owning a firearm. Would enhance punishment for gang
members convicted of violent crimes and for juvenile offenders found guilty
of non-violent offenses, including vandalism. Has proposed making the names
of juveniles who commit crimes public.

Checchi: Favors increased use of court injunctions and toughen
racketeering laws to prosecute gangs as criminal conspiracies. Impose and
enforce juvenile curfews. Would expand anti-truancy programs and increase
funding for county probation offices.

Davis: Would allow juvenile court judges to impose sentences to keep
most-violent youth offenders incarcerated beyond age 25 and give district
attorneys more powers to try juveniles as adults. Has proposed stiffer
sentences for those who sell drugs to juveniles.

Harman: Supports enacting strict policies for zero tolerance of weapons at
school. Would re-create successful gang abatement programs statewide,
including increased use of court injunctions.

Issue: CRIME PREVENTION

Lungren: Launched a major public awareness campaign aimed at teaching
youths of the dangers of methamphetamine use and launched the safe schools
program. Supports grants to communities with effective gang-prevention
strategies.

Checchi: Supports hiring 10,000 more police officers statewide. Favors
arrest and prosecution of all domestic-violence offenders, computerizing
protective orders statewide, and providing free emergency alarms with
restraining orders. Would keep at-risk students in school.

Davis: Would increase counseling for juvenile drug abusers.

Harman: Would increase early intervention programs to combat spousal and
domestic abuse. Create safety zones around schools and expand after-school
activities.

Issue: PRISON SPENDING

Lungren: Has no plan to reduce prison spending. Generally advocates
tougher sentencing that would likely lead to increased number of prisoners.

Checchi: Would seek to slow spending on state prisons by using drug courts
to handle non-violent offenders and reducing recidivism by expanding drug
treatment for prisoners.

Davis: Would consider alternatives to building new prisons, such as
incarcerating non-violent offenders in abandoned military bases and
National Guard facilities.

Harman: Has no specific strategy, beyond banning certain weapons,
restricting gang activity and investing in anti-drug prevention programs to
reduce number of criminals.