California Update: Fiscal Committees Consider Remaining Anti-Gun Bills

This week, four anti-gun bills, AB 1227, AB 2870, SB 505 and SB 918, were heard in the respective Appropriations committees and sent to the suspense file. The Appropriations committees will take up the suspense files next week prior to the August 12 fiscal committee deadline. Continue to contact committee members and urge their opposition to these anti-gun bills. 

Senate Appropriations Committee

* Contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee by clicking here and urging their opposition to AB 1227 and AB 2870. 

Assembly Bill 1227, introduced by Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-10), places an excise tax of 10% on the sales price of a handgun, and places an 11% excise tax on the sales price of all long guns, rifles, firearm precursor parts and ammunition. These taxes are to be collected from California retailers and placed in a newly created fund for appropriation by the state legislature. It is unjust to saddle law-abiding gun owners with special taxes. Such a measure makes it more expensive for law-abiding citizens to exercise a constitutional right, and discourages them from practicing to be safe and proficient with their firearms for purposes such as self-defense, competition, and hunting.

Assembly Bill 2870, introduced by Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-53), expands California's gun violence restraining order to allow additional reporters, to now include roommates, dating partners, and additional family members, out to the 4^th level of consanguinity and affinity (this could include out to the first cousin in-law or a great-great-grandparent).

Assembly Appropriations Committee

*Contact members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee by clicking here and urging their opposition to SB 505 and SB 918.

Senate Bill 505, introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-9), makes a person who owns a firearm strictly civilly liable for each incident of property damage, bodily injury, or death resulting from the use of the firearm. Additionally, the legislation requires a firearm owner to obtain and continuously maintain insurance as well as keep evidence of this coverage where the firearm is stored.

Senate Bill 918, introduced by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-25), was amended to defy the recent Supreme Court ruling placing significant reforms on California's existing conceal carry laws. Some of the provisions include:  significantly expanding gun-free zones, requiring signage for private businesses where you "can" carry, doubling training requirements, and maintaining the ability to do in-person interviews, psychiatric evaluations, and allowing "time place, and manner" restrictions on permits.

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for updates.