Gun Control - Landmark Legislation
California is leading the way in taking assault rifles off the streets.
Last updated 7/6/2016 at 7:41am
Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Marc Levine's Office
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill, co-authored by state Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Marin County, Fri. July 1. Assembly Bill 1135, co-authored by Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, and David Chiu, D-San Francisco, was among six gun-control bills signed into law.
The bill seeks to close a loophole in a law allowing gun manufacturers to use "bullet buttons" in order to evade the assault weapons ban in California.
"My goal in signing these bills is to enhance public safety by tightening our existing laws in a responsible and focused manner, while protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners," Brown said.
"This is landmark legislation that strengthens the nation's first assault weapon ban," Levine said. "Congress cannot seem to get it together, and California once again is leading the way."
AB 1135, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2017, will prohibit the use of a bullet button or other tool that allows for easily changeable magazines on all military-style assault weapons, the kind of assault rifle that was used in the San Bernardino mass shooting in December.
"California's Legislature has acted while Congress stands still," Assemblyman Ting said. "Gun manufacturers created bullet button guns to evade our assault weapons ban. These guns were created to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Keeping these weapons off our streets is a huge victory in our fight against gun violence."
The governor vetoed five other measures, including an expansion of the use of restraining orders to take guns from people deemed to be dangerous, a bill that would have allowed co-workers, mental health workers and school officials to petition the court for a “gun violence restraining order”. Guns would be confiscated for a year, for people judged a danger to themselves and others.
Bills that were signed:-
ID and background check to purchase ammunition and create a new state database of ammunition owners
Ban possession of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.
Restrict the loaning of guns without background checks to close family members.
