California: Senate Committees Hearing Anti-Gun Bills Before Summer Recess

Next week, policy committees in the Senate will hold more hearings on anti-gun bills. Earlier this week, the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee heard and passed Assembly Bill 1587, the credit card surveillance bill. AB 1587 is scheduled to be considered again next week in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Please contact committee members and ask them to OPPOSE the bills below.

Senate Public Safety Committee on July 11^th, starting at 8:30AM

Assembly Bill 28 places an excise tax of 11% on the sales price of all firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition. These taxes are to be collected from California retailers and placed in a newly created “gun violence” 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 574 requires gun owners, when filling out the Dealer Record of Sale, to affirm that they have checked and confirmed possession of every firearm they own or possess within the past 30 days. This requirement runs contrary to the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and is an additional burden for gun owners, especially those with firearms stored in multiple residences or in safe deposit boxes, that can make them ineligible to purchase another firearm until they visit all of those locations.

Assembly Bill 1133 establishes a one-size-fits-all curriculum for the training courses required for carry permit applicants. The bill language is intentionally vague, giving the California Department of Justice broad authority, and requires written examinations amongst the requirements, which could be modeled in a fashion that prevents certain individuals from achieving passing scores. No evidence has been provided to show that there are any problems with lack of training or quality training from the many licensed concealed carry permit holders in the state. This legislation appears to be more of a solution in search of a problem.

Click here to contact the Senate Public Safety Committee and ask them to OPPOSE Assembly Bills 28, 574, and 1133.

Senate Judiciary Committee on July 11^th, starting at 9:00AM

Assembly Bill 1089 expands California’s ban on private citizens and non-professional users making firearms with CNC milling machines, or possessing CNC milling machines that have the “primary” or “intended” function of manufacturing firearms, to also include 3D printers. This is simply another scheme to harass law-abiding hobbyists by preventing them from using modern manufacturing techniques for otherwise lawful purposes.

Assembly Bill 1587 requires credit card issuers surveil gun owners by using specified Merchant Category Codes to designate firearm and ammunition retailers.

Click here to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to OPPOSE Assembly Bills 1089 and 1587.

Senate Governance and Finance Committee on July 12^th, starting upon adjournment of the Education Committee

Assembly Bill 733 prohibits state and local government entities from selling off surplus firearms, ammunition, and body armor. This prevents them from being good stewards of taxpayer money and prevents the public from buying these taxpayer funded items, which are lawful to own.

Click here to contact the Senate Governance and Finance Committee and ask them to OPPOSE Assembly Bill 733.

The Legislature will begin their summer recess on July 14^th and return on August 14^th. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates.