FINES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT GUN LOSS
AB 334 (Levine) Firearms: loss and theft -- Would impose substantial fines on anyone who does not report the loss or theft of a handgun within five days of when they know or reasonably should have known of its disappearance. There is no standard of what "reasonably should have known" means for purposes of the bill, but AB 334 supporters have publicly stated that it means that the owner of a handgun has to know where the firearm is at all times. Thus, a handgun kept in storage would have to be physically checked at least once every five days to determine if it is still there.
BAN ON LEAD AMMUNITION FOR HUNTING
AB 821 (Nava) Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act -- Would prohibit the use of lead ammunition for the hunting of big game and coyotes in the range of the California Condor. This would affect much of the Central Coast and Southern California hunting areas. Supporters claim it is hunters' ammunition that is responsible for lead poisoning in condors. If AB 821 passes, supporters have let it be known that they will be seeking a lead ammunition ban statewide. Anti-hunting groups know that the alternative to lead, (e.g. copper bullets), is not as effective, will likely result in more crippling of animals, and is also toxic to condors. AB 821 is seen by them as laying the groundwork for a total ban on hunting next as it will allow them to claim that hunting should be stopped because no adequate ammunition is available that will not poison condors.
MICROSTAMPING
AB 1471 (Feuer) Microstamping -- Would expand the definition of "unsafe handgun" to include semiautomatic pistols that are not designed and equipped with a microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the pistol, and which are transferred in at least two places by imprinting onto each cartridge case when the firearm is discharged. This will enable identification of the registered owner.
Even though over 90 percent of handguns used in crime are stolen, the registered owner from whom the firearm was stolen would become the subject of a criminal investigation and possibly prosecution.
If passed, AB 1471's requirements could soon be expanded to cover all firearms of any kind! And, if a criminal gets a hold of some of your spent cases (as from a shooting range), he can leave them at a crimescene and the police will come looking for you!! To make matters even worse, scientific studies have shown that any criminal can easily remove or defeat the microstamping technology with a minimum of effort.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!
It is important that every sportsman and other owners of firearms immediately contact the members of the State Senate and Assembly to oppose the above described bills.
To find your own district legislators, and others, use the following link www.legislature.ca.gov and enter your zip code on the right under "Find My District." You will be given the names and contact information for both the Senator and Assembly Member who represent your area.
CONTACTS WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY SENATORS ARE CRITICALLY NEEDED!
NOW is the time to contact the following key members of the State Senate in opposition to these bills. They are all individuals who have shown in the past that they are willing to listen to reason on firearms issues. Because of this, anti-firearms rights organizations and individuals are focusing heavily upon them in an effort to keep them from voting pro-gun. We must not let the anti-gunners prevail.
AB 1471 could come up for a hearing on the Senate Floor as early as next Thursday, Aug. 30. Time is critical. Please act now.
CRITICAL CONTACT LIST
Ronald Calderon (D-Senate District 30, Montebello) Counties: Los Angeles
(916) 651-4030
Lou Correa (D-Senate District 34, Santa Ana) Counties: Orange
(916) 651-4034
Denise Ducheny (D-Senate District 40, San Diego) Counties: Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
(916) 651-4040
Dean Florez (D- Senate District 16, Shafter) Counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Tulare
(916) 651-4016
Mike Machado (D-Senate District 5, Linden) Counties: Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo
(916) 651-4005
Abel Maldonado Jr. (R-Senate District 15, Santa Maria) Counties: Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Jose, Los Gatos
(916) 651-4015
Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Senate District 32, Chino) Counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino
(916) 651-4032
Patricia Wiggins (D-Senate District 2, Santa Rosa) Counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma
(916) 651-4002
Leland Yee (D-Senate District 8, San Francisco/San Mateo) Counties: San Francisco, San Mateo
(916) 651-4008
Those who have access to a computer can use www.legislature.ca.gov to obtain contact information for these and other legislators. All have e-mail addresses listed, although it is much better to make personal contact with them or, if necessary, with their office staff. For those who do not have access to a computer, the above list shows capitol office phone numbers.
Please Act Now!
IMPORTANT
* Many legislators are freshman, elected in last November's statewide elections. They critically need to hear from their own constituents in order to help them determine their positions.
* Don't forget, they are your public servants, and they need to hear from you.
* Don't let the "antis" mobilize more contacts with legislators than us.
* Again, legislators mostly want to hear from their own constituents.
* Be sure to contact yours first, but then go to work on the others.
Your action is needed now if we are to have success.
The legislature will take up these bills prior to adjournment Sept. 14.
Please act today!
