On Monday, August 17, the California Legislature returns from summer recess. Below is the status on the firearm-related bills still alive for the 2015 legislative session.
Anti-Gun/Anti-Hunting Legislation
Both Senate Bill 347 and Senate Bill 707 are scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, August 19, in State Capitol room 4201 at 8 a.m. in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. If you are unable to attend this hearing, you can watch the hearing by clicking here. Please click on the Call to Action button below to EMAIL the members of the Committee and urge them to OPPOSE SB 347 and SB 707. If you would like to CALL the members of the Committee their phone numbers can be found here.
SB 347, introduced by anti-gun Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, would add to the list of misdemeanors convictions that would result in a 10-year prohibition on the possession of firearms. The addition of these misdemeanor offenses to the prohibited category list that include the “transfer” of firearms or ammunition could entrap family members who are giving firearms to relatives and are unaware of the requirements for firearm transfers through licensed dealers.
SB 707, introduced by anti-gun Senator Lois Wolk, would prohibit CCW holders and retired law enforcement officers from possessing firearms on any properties that make up the grounds of a K-12 school or university, including many parking lots, common areas that may not be readily identifiable as school grounds, and student apartment buildings.
Assembly Bill 96 is currently in the Senate Committee on Appropriations suspense file. This bill will be brought up for a hearing on either Thursday, August 27, or Friday, August 28.
AB 96, introduced by anti-gun Assembly Member and Speaker Toni Atkins, would prohibit a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell ivory or rhinoceros horn, except as specified, and would make this prohibition enforceable by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lawfully obtained ivory components are commonly found on many antique firearms.
Assembly Bill 1134 is currently on the Senate Floor. AB 1134 could be heard any day. Please click on the Call to Action button below to EMAIL your state Senator and urge him or her to OPPOSE AB 1134. If you would like to CALL your state Senator his/her phone numbers can be found here.
AB 1134, introduced by anti-gun Assembly Member Mark Stone, would allow sheriffs to make agreements with and delegate the processing of all carry license (“CCW”) applications to a police chief of a city within the county. If enacted into law, AB 1134 would only increase the red tape and costs associated with CCW issuance and not allow Californians in their jurisdictions the ability to apply for CCW permits to every agency they can legally apply to.
Pro-Gun/Hunting Bill
Assembly Bill 499 is currently in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. As of today, a hearing date has not been scheduled.
AB 499, introduced by Assembly Member Ken Cooley, would authorize a person with a valid license to carry a firearm capable of being concealed on the personfor self-defense purposes, consistent with the terms of that license, while engaged in the taking of deer with bow and arrow.
On Thursday, August 13, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 950 into law.
AB 950 allows a person who is subject to a ‘gun violence restraining order (GVRO)’ to transfer his or her firearms to a licensed firearms dealer.
This bill is a small improvement to correct a deeply flawed ‘GVRO’ law that can and will lead to abuse against those who have been issued a ‘GVRO’ without a mental health or medical evaluation of the individual.