Friday, February 17, marked the deadline for bill introductions in California. A number of firearm- and hunting-related bills have been introduced. Below is a review of what is to come this session. There are also a number of bills we are actively monitoring that could become problematic as the session progresses and amendments are made. It’s important for gun owners and Second Amendment supporters to stay diligent and engaged.
Bills to SUPPORT:
AB 521, sponsored by Assembly Member Jim Frazier (D), would delete the current fee for a resident elk tag and would instead set the fee at the average price of the fees required for resident elk tags issued by specified western states
AB 757, “shall-issue” bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Melissa Melendez (R), would redefine “good cause” to include self-defense, defending the life of another, or preventing crime in which human life is threatened, and would provide procedural guidelines to the issuing authority on determining the presence or absence of “good cause.”
AB 986, sponsored by James Gallagher (R), would lower hunting fees by 25% for a person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, was honorably discharged, and is a resident of California.
SB 710, sponsored by Senator Joel Anderson (R), would authorize the lawful possession and use of firearm sound suppressors while hunting.
Bills to OPPOSE:
AB 424, sponsored by NRA-PVF “F” rated Assembly Member Kevin McCarty (D), would delete the authority of a school district superintendent, his or her designee, or equivalent school authority to provide written permission for a person to possess a firearm within a school zone.
AB 1525, sponsored by NRA-PVF “F” rated Assembly Member Catherine Baker (R), would require more information warning the purchasers of the risks of firearms and the laws regulating firearms to be included in the warnings on the packaging of firearms and descriptive materials that accompany firearms, on the premises of a licensed dealer, and in the instructional manual developed by the California Department of Justice (DOJ).
SB 464, sponsored by NRA-PVF “F” rated Senator Jerry Hill (D), would add stricter and burdensome storage and security requirements of all firearms of a licensed firearm dealers on top of the already strict standards.
SB 497, sponsored by NRA-PVF “D” rated Senator Anthony Portantino (D), would expand the existing one handgun a month law to include ALL guns, including those acquired through a private party transfer. Governor Brown vetoed similar legislation in 2016.
Please check your email and www.NRAILA.org for legislative and legal updates.