The California Legislature Reconvenes: Anti-Gun Legislation Up For Vote!

The California Legislature reconvenes from summer recess on Monday, August 15.

Upon adjournment, anti-gun Assembly Bill 352 was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. It is expected to be considered on Monday, August 15.  AB 352 expands the definition of "unsafe handguns" to include semi-automatic pistols that are not designed and equipped with an array of microscopic characters which identify the make, model, and serial number of the pistol by imprinting the characters on each cartridge case when the firearm is discharged. This legislation could essentially ban all semi-automatic pistols commonly used by California gun owners. Please contact members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and ask them to oppose AB 352.

For a list of committee members and their contact information, please visit www.sen.ca.gov.

Assembly Bill 996 is on the Senate Floor where it is likely to pass, and will soon be back on the Assembly Floor for a final vote. AB 996  would require all retailers to display and sell ammunition in a manner that is only accessible by an employee, not the purchaser. Any violation of this measure would result in misdemeanor. This bill has been voted down twice during the 2005 Legislative Session because existing law already makes it a crime to sell ammunition to a minor, or ammunition designed for a handgun to anyone less than 21 years of age. Please contact members of the Senate and Assembly and ask them to oppose AB 996.

Senate Bill 357 sponsor Senator Joseph Dunn (D-34), is postponing further hearings on this bill until next year. This means that, if the legislature passes it in 2006 and the Governor signs it, SB 357 could not become law until January 1, 2007. The amended version of this bill requires that all handgun ammunition carry a unique serial number engraved on both the bullet and the case and be registered to the purchaser. SB 357 bans the manufacture, transfer, and possession of non-serialized handgun ammunition after July 1, 2009, and possession of non-serialized ammunition would be a crime. SB 357 would also require ammunition vendors and manufacturers to register with the Department of Justice.

Despite postponement, please continue contacting members of the Assembly and ask them to oppose SB 357. Postponement of SB 357 can be canceled at anytime and hearings would continue on short notice. For Assembly and Senate members’ contact information, please visit http://www.assembly.ca.gov or www.sen.ca.gov.