On Friday, 10/11/13 California Governor Jerry Brown took action on 18 firearm related bills including one that greatly impacts California hunters, ammunition manufacturers and retailers.
Brown signed into law AB 711, a statewide ban on the use of traditional (lead) ammunition in hunting which is the first such ban in the nation and takes effect in 2019. At the same time, Brown vetoed SB 374, a measure that would have classified any semiautomatic center-fire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept 10 rounds of ammunition or less as an assault weapon. This bill would have required that all such firearms be registered with the state and make their future sale illegal.
Brown also vetoed AB 180 that would have allowed the City of Oakland to enact its own ordinance regarding firearms that would be even more restrictive than state law.
“We are greatly disappointed that Gov. Brown decided to sign AB 711, which as we view things today will effectively end or greatly curtail hunting in California, given the restrictions on the use of non-traditional ammunition.” said National Shooting Sports Foundation Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “It is mind boggling that the governor would shut down this American tradition and actually imperil the substantial conservation funding that is provided to California through the federal excise tax on ammunition.”
“We are pleased that Gov. Brown vetoed SB 374 and AB 180, however, as these proposed restrictions on law-abiding Californians would have done nothing to make the state safer,” says Keane.
Brown also signed legislation that bans magazine conversion kits, places new restrictions on firearm storage and access, certification and sets requirements for psychotherapists to report threats made by patients against identified victims to authorities within a certain time period.
Out of 18 proposed firearm bills, Browned signed 11 into law.
