This week, the California Legislature took the following actions on firearm- and hunting-related legislation:
On Monday, April 23, the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee passed SJR 24, which will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. In addition, SB 1382 was passed by the Senate and now moves to the Assembly where it awaits a committee assignment.
Senate Joint Resolution 24, sponsored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-19), would urge the Congress of the United States to reauthorize and strengthen the federal “assault weapons” ban and would urge Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the federal “Assault Weapons Ban of 2018.” It would additionally call on the California Public Employee’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to engage with companies that produce or sell firearms and determine a method for those companies to withdraw from the sale or production of firearms, or produce a plan for CalPERS to divest its holdings from those companies. The reauthorization of an “assault weapons” ban would burden the self-defense rights of law-abiding Americans without meaningfully addressing the problems it’s purportedly designed to address, it would not impact overall gun death rates, and there is no evidence it would prevent mass shootings.
Senate Bill 1382, sponsored by Senator Andy Vidak (R-14),would authorize locking a firearm in a toolbox or utility box that is permanently affixed to the bed of a pickup truck or vehicle that does not contain a trunk.
On Tuesday April 24, the Assembly Public Safety Committee failed to pass pro-gun bills AB 1931 and AB 2733 on reconsideration votes and passed two anti-gun bills AB 2382 and AB 2888. Additionally, the Senate Public Safety Committee passed SB 1346 and SB 1487. AB 2382 and SB 1487 will now move to the respective appropriations committees for further consideration. Both AB 2888 and SB 1346 are now eligible for floor votes in their respective chambers.
Assembly Bill 2382, sponsored by Assembly Member Mike Gipson (D-64), would require precursor firearms parts to be sold/transferred through a licensed precursor parts dealer in a similar process to the new laws regarding ammunition purchases. It would further create a new crime for transfer of precursor parts without the involvement of a licensed precursor parts dealer to anyone under 21 years of age or prohibited from owning firearms. Precursor parts include items such as barrels, ammunition feedings devices and upper receivers.
Assembly Bill 2888, sponsored by Assembly Member Phillip Ting (D-19), would expand the list of those eligible to file gun violence restraining orders (GVRO) beyond the currently authorized reporters which include immediate family and law enforcement. The new list is expanded to employers, coworkers and employees of a secondary or postsecondary school that the person has attended in the last 6 months. GVRO’s can remove a person’s right without due process and not because of a criminal conviction or mental adjudication, but based on third party allegations.
Senate Bill 1346, sponsored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-19), would expand the definition of multiburst trigger activators to include bumpstocks or bumpstock attachments.
Senate Bill 1487, sponsored by Senator Henry Stern (D-27), would prohibit the possession of certain African species of wildlife. The true goal of the bill is to ensure that a lawful U.S. hunter is not allowed to bring home a hunting trophy—even though the animal was legally taken and the hunter has the approval of the U.S. Federal Government.
On Wednesday, April 25, the Assembly Appropriations Committee sent AB 2670 to the suspense file. AB 2670 will be taken up with other items on the suspense file in the coming weeks.
Assembly Bill 2670, sponsored by Assembly Member Kevin Kiley (R-6), would require, rather than authorize, the director to establish 2 free hunting days per year one in the fall and one in the spring, no later than July 1, 2019.
On Monday, April 30, the Senate Appropriations committee is scheduled to hear SB 1100. Please use our TAKE ACTION button below to contact the Members of the Committee and urge them to OPPOSE SB 1100.
Senate Bill 1100, sponsored by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-25), would place further restrictions on law abiding citizens by expanding the current one gun a month restriction for handguns to include all guns and raises the purchase age for long guns to 21.
AB 2103 and AB 2151 remain eligible for a vote on the Assembly floor.
Assembly Bill 2103, sponsored by Assembly Member Todd Gloria (D-78), would add certain requirements in addition to the already mandated training courses for a citizen to obtain a concealed carry license. Currently, concealed carry permit holders are already required to receive up to 16 hours training prior to receiving a permit and at least four hours of additional training every two years prior to renewal.
Assembly Bill 2151, sponsored by Assembly Member Adam Gray (D-21), would help make hunting more affordable for youths by reducing the cost of certain big game tags for youth hunters.
Continue to check your inbox and the California Stand and Fight web page for updates on issues impacting your Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage in California.
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