Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti moved Friday to ban "open carry" handguns within the city limits.

Under current state law, residents can openly carry legally owned handguns that are unloaded and kept in a holster. Ammunition may be carried separately on the holster.

That state law has come under scrutiny in the aftermath of several recent high-profile shooting incidents, especially the Jan. 8 rampage in Tucson that left six dead and critically injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Garcetti submitted what he called a "common sense" motion that asks his council colleagues to approve such a ban. In practice, the measure would restrict the carrying of such weapons to authorized law enforcement personnel or holders of concealed weapons permits.

"No one needs a gun on their hip when walking down the street or going to the store," Garcetti said. "The open carry of a handgun can be intimidating and threaten public safety."