California: Fee Hike Bill Eligible for Floor Vote

Last week, Senate Bill 918, to authorize DoJ to charge higher fees for basic eligibility checks on ammunition and precursor firearm parts, passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee. It is now eligible for a vote on the Senate floor. Please contact your state senator and ask them to OPPOSE SB 918.

Senate Bill 918, introduced by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-25), increases the fee on eligibility checks for precursor firearm parts and ammunition sales. While consumers who pay for basic eligibility checks on ammunition currently, and precursor parts beginning July 1^st, won't notice a price hike, they should. This is because CA DOJ has been charging above the statutory maximum for more than two years, as a result of their efforts to utilize creative legislative drafting to raise the cost of background checks on firearm transfers. While CA DOJ continues to overcharge consumers, they are utilizing this legislation to authorize the current, and unlawful, fee structure.

In addition, policy committees will also hold hearings for anti-gun bills tomorrow, March 30^th.

The Senate Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 906, which they rescheduled from last week, at 9:00AM. Introduced by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-25), SB 906 makes it mandatory that parents of students disclose firearm ownership status to the schools their children attend, including how they are stored. It requires that these questions be placed on the forms used to register or enroll students, and these forms may be made available to law-enforcement under certain conditions. This is one more attack on the law-abiding citizens of California, amounting to a major invasion of privacy and potential harassment. 

The Assembly Appropriations Committee will hear Assembly Bill 1769 at 9:00AM. Introduced by Assembly Member Steve Bennett (D-37), AB 1769 prohibits officers, employees, operators, lessees, or licensees of the 31^st District Agricultural Association from entering into any agreement to allow for the sale of any firearm, firearm parts, or ammunition on property or buildings that comprise the Ventura County Fair and Event Center or properties in Ventura County and the City of Ventura that are owned, leased, operated, or occupied by the District. This imposes a one-size-fits-all restriction to prevent officials from deciding how to use venues. 

Again, please contact your state senator and ask them to OPPOSE SB 918.