Call AND E-Mail your state Senator TODAY!
Yesterday, the state Senate Appropriations Committee moved Assembly Bill 144 (open carry ban bill) out of the committee and to the senate floor. This bill could come before the full Senate as early as tomorrow for its final vote. It is imperative that you contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE AB 144.
The language of AB 144 is back for a second consecutive year. This year it was introduced by anti-gun state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino. AB 144 is a clear demonstration of the irrational “gun-phobia” that so often drives our opponents. Anti-gun politicians in the legislature are not satisfied that law-abiding Californian’s are almost completely denied the right to carry; they also want to ban the open carrying of unloaded guns.
This bill is a knee-jerk reaction by anti-gun legislators to punish citizens for engaging in the legal act of openly carrying an unloaded handgun. In reality, the open carrying of firearms by law-abiding citizens is a result of California’s unfair concealed carry law, which allow citizens from some counties to received a permit to carry, while their neighbors in the next county are denied that basic right for political, not public safety, reasons.
Rather than place more restrictions on the right of self-defense for law-abiding Californians, the legislature should instead take steps to ensure that all citizens of the Golden State are treated equally by enacting a statewide “shall-issue” Right-to-Carry law, with clear standards for the issuance of a carry permit that all counties must follow.
Please call AND e-mail your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE AB 144. For contact information or help identifying your state Senator, please click here.