Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Unsafe Handgun Act: Target For Trial Attorneys

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

LOS ANGELES - Mr. Chuck Michel, Civil Rights Attorney and Spokesperson for the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), plans a statewide talk show tour to discuss the disastrous impact to law enforcement of the “Unsafe Handgun Act” signed into law by Governor Davis in 1999 as Senate Bill 15 (Polanco) (now Penal Code Section 12125-12133). SB15 declares every handgun “unsafe” unless it passes a series of state mandated performance tests. Because the Act only allows manufacturers to submit guns for testing, and because only current production handgun models have been submitted by those manufacturers, all untested models carried by police departments across the state are branded “unsafe” by the law, regardless of their quality and safety features. Recently obtained documentation from police departments across the state demonstrates that the vast majority of police handguns are untested, and indicates that many police firearms used for back up and off duty use would not pass even if tested. Although law enforcement agencies are exempt from restrictions on buying the guns under the new law, there is no provision immunizing them from the increased liability for using those guns. “This creates real liability problems for law enforcement officers and agencies,” stated Mr. Michel, a former prosecutor. “These firearms have been deemed ‘unsafe’ for law-abiding citizens to own, yet we have thousands of law enforcement officers in this state carrying them while on the job, off the job, and under cover. The exposure to increased liability for damages in the event of an accident is tremendous. Any time there is a shooting trial lawyers will point to the gun as the cause. In fact, not having these guns safety tested is in itself negligent. It’s like half of a plaintiff’s lawyer’s work has already been done for them by the State Legislature!” In response to a Public Records Act request done at the behest of the California Rifle & Pistol Association and the National Rifle Association and coordinated by Mr. Michel, police departments across the state provided documentation that they have approved the "unsafe" handguns for on duty, off duty, and “backup” use by their officers, and that accidental discharges are not uncommon. Mr. Michel has attended seminars that the American Bar Association has been hosting where plaintiffs` lawyers are taught how to use these “unsafe” gun laws to sue successfully and increase liability of gun users. “This is a trial attorney’s dream,” said attorney Michel. “All it will take to reek financial havoc on to a city or a county is to have one of these guns discharge and hurt someone, if it hasn’t happened already.”
IN THIS ARTICLE
Handguns
TRENDING NOW
Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

As the mid-year mark of 2025 hits, a promising report on crime trends has come out of the City of Baltimore. Surprising news at first glance until you dig deeper into the policy direction the ...

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a provision that eliminated the tax stamp fee of $200, but did not deregulate suppressors under the National Firearms ...

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

Just as the United States was preparing to celebrate 249 beautiful years, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on July 3rd establishing the “Make America Beautiful Again" Commission supporting hunters, outdoorsmen, and outdoor recreationists by prioritizing the ...

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

It appears the editors of The Atlantic are finally willing to entertain an idea that has long been obvious to gun rights supporters.

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

As the House Appropriations Committee is putting together legislation to fund the government, NRA-ILA has worked closely with policy makers to ensure several long-standing priorities for gun owners were included in the underlying bills.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

Thursday, July 10, 2025

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

In the second quarter of 2025, the National Rifle Association filed two cert petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court and five amicus briefs, while continuing to litigate dozens of ongoing lawsuits across the country.

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

In case you missed the media firestorm last week, a progressive professor at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Maine, has come under fire for her emails belittling a student for her religious beliefs and views ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.