On May 3rd, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear Senate Bill 264 and Senate Bill 715. Please contact committee members and ask them to OPPOSE SB 264 and SB 715.
Senate Bill 264 bans state officers, employees, operators, lessees or licensees from entering into any agreement to allow for the sale of any firearm, firearm parts, or ammunition on property that is owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the state. This imposes a one-size-fits-all restriction to prevent officials from deciding how to use venues. In addition, this prevents tax-paying businesses from renting taxpayer-funded venues for lawful activities. SB 264 was previously pulled from the Senate Governance and Finance Committee and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 715 limits when a hunting license satisfies the requirements for adults under 21 purchasing a long gun by requiring the license to be currently valid. This means an individual who has purchased a license for an upcoming season will not satisfy the requirements of the bill. Additionally, SB 715 makes changes to the restrictions on gifts and loans of long-guns to minors in a way that is confusing for well-intentioned individuals trying to understand what is permitted and required.
Update on committee hearings from last week:
The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee passed Assembly Bill 1223. This bill places an excise tax of 10% on the sales price of a handgun, and places an 11% excise tax on the sales price on all long guns, rifles, firearm precursor parts and ammunition to fund grants awarded through the Cal VIP program. The taxes are to be collected from California retailers on new firearms sold, and on their retail sales of ammunition. It is unjust to saddle law-abiding gun owners with special taxes to fund social service programs. 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.
The Assembly Public Safety Committee passed Assembly Bill 1509. This bill reduces the penalties and sentencing enhancements for criminal misuse of firearms. Such an effort shows just how disingenuous Californian legislators are about stopping “gun violence.” The legislators who oppose holding criminals accountable for their actions are the same ones who continue to harass law-abiding gun owners.
The Senate Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 538. This bill expands California’s program of suspending constitutional rights and seizing property by allowing electronic filing and witnesses to appear remotely. The suspension of a constitutional right should be afforded the utmost due process protections, especially when the basis for the petition may not amount to a prohibiting offense or adjudication. By allowing remote testimony, the due process protections are lessened, not enhanced, and may limit the opportunity to examine the credibility of a witness.
Assembly Appropriations Committee moved Assembly Bill 311 to suspense file. This bill prohibits the display or sale of any “precursor firearm parts” at gun shows on state property. So called “precursor” parts are not regulated as firearms under federal law; however, they are regulated and limited to being transferred by licensed vendors in California. Such restrictions continue to cut off access to law-abiding individuals who are looking to acquire firearm parts in accordance with existing law.
In addition, Assembly Bill 804 passed the Assembly by a vote of 58-11. This bill requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish the two free hunting days per year that are currently optional for the department. Free hunting days allow unlicensed Californians to hunt on those days if accompanied by a licensed hunter. This allows prospective hunters to try hunting for free under mentorship.
Continue to check your inbox and www.NRA-ILA.org for updates concerning your Second Amendment Rights and hunting heritage.
