Residents and businesses spoke out Tuesday after the city of West Hollywood voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would ban the sale of fur.
City staff must refine the ordinance to include the date of implementation and the amount of civil penalties before it can receive final approval, which could come in two weeks.
The ban—the first of its kind in the nation—would prohibit the sales of fur clothing but leather goods, furniture, and fur decorated accessories are okay.
Animals rights advocates celebrated, calling the fur ban a landmark victory.
"It's just the beginning of what's to come in the humane treatment of animals and how we view fashion," said Ellen Leventhal of Fur Free West Hollywood.
Proponents of the ban say wearing fur is inhumane and West Hollywood city officials are pioneers. Opponents say they're hypocrites.
Several retailers say they are afraid to speak out against the ban and claim they could lose as much as 15 percent of their sales.
"We have even had some retailers tell us they were fearful of threats and threatening phone calls they have received about rocks coming through their store windows," said Keith Caplan of the Fur Information Council.
West Hollywood resident Chadmichael Morrisett said, "It's just odd these people are making rules dictating what you can and cannot do, which is a very personal choice."
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