Years ago, I recall a friend telling me that California’s new emissions standards would mean that the entire US auto industry would have to comply, because California was such an overwhelmingly large market.
That won’t happen with guns … but it would be nice.
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed new gun control legislation for California, enacting bills that limit magazine capacity to 10 bullets; require a background check for those purchasing ammunition; and restrict the lending of firearms, among other effects.
In signing the bills, Brown said he wants “to enhance public safety by tightening our existing laws in a responsible and focused manner, while protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.”
Two of the bills close the “bullet button loophole,” as member station KPCC reports:
“The loophole refers to the sale of ‘California legal’ firearms that don’t fall under California’s ban of guns with detachable magazines.
“To get around the law, manufacturers created versions of firearms that feature a button that can be pushed with a small tool — for instance the tip of a bullet — to release an empty magazine and insert a new one.”
Another bill that will now become law tries to limit “straw purchasing,” the practice of a person buying a gun legally with the intent of giving or selling the weapon to someone else. In addition to making it a misdemeanor to file a false report about a gun being lost or stolen, the new law will prohibit the purchaser from buying another gun for 10 years.
Here’s a name to remember: Melissa Melendez.
All of the bills Brown signed were sponsored by Democrats — and so were the five bills that he vetoed, although one of those, which makes it a felony to steal a gun, was also sponsored by Republican Assemblywoman Melissa A. Melendez.
Major kudos to Jerry Brown for having the guts to sign these.
In any case it’s progress, and I welcome it. It might be time to update the gun clock soon.
jconway says
Also significant because of the market share as JimC suggested, and also because California has a large and vocal gun ‘rights’ segment of it’s electorate that MA does not. All the more infuriating that Maura Healey’s pledge to better enforce existing laws here was met with such little support from our states’ Democrats and active opposition from several senior House members.
California is showing us how to do it better. And kudos to Melissa, it takes a visionary to recognize that their party is dying and has to move to the center sometime soon.
johntmay says
…is showing Massachusetts how to go up against the health insurance industry.
JimC says
Yes, kudos to her, but her party is not dying. Not by a longshot.
jconway says
Under their runoff system (ironically implemented by a Republican governor), they are not fielding a Senate candidate in November and it’s becoming less and less likely they could field credible statewide candidates for other offices either. It will still have a decent number of house seats due to its size and gerrymandering
Yet it’s unlikely the GOP will have a statehouse officer, legislative majority, or Senator again unless it embraces social tolerance and respect for immigration. It’s a microcosm of its national bind. It’s artificially inflated House majority will likely endure and continue moving got the right while the Senate and White House, and with them the court, will be lost for a decade or more.
Christopher says
…is sponsored by the United “Independent” Party:)
They weren’t quick on the uptake, but the state Dem party officially is fully behind AG Healey.
jconway says
Hecht lost his committee seat, I doubt any of those co-signers will lose theirs.
It shouldn’t take Bernstein, Klauss and Reilly penning critical columns for the Chair to do the bare minimum his job requires.
Christopher says
…over not voting to repeal Speakership term limits, rather than anything having to do with guns? 20/~130 Dem reps. is a considerable minority and if it’s the letter I’m thinking of it was theirs and not GOAL’s. It was actually DSC people who spoke up and in my case contacted my rep who had signed the letter to Healey (though big tent DOES extend to the DSC; we do have pro-gun members too). To be honest, yanking a committee assignment over signing a letter or any one vote is more hardball politics than I’m comfortable with anyway (yes, even if others do it or “our guys” do it for other reasons).
johntmay says
…is showing Massachusetts how to go up against the health insurance industry.