AB 1934 would prohibit the open carrying of unloaded handguns in public places. Although carrying a concealed weapon requires a permit, no such law applies to persons openly carrying unloaded guns, even if ammunition is carries alongside the gun. With little practice, one can easily load a hand gun in under two seconds. We believe Open Carry not only intimidates people and stifles free speech, but creates an unnecessary expense to police departments when law enforcement has to respond to non-criminal "man with gun" reports.

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This bill would close a loophole in state law by removing existing exceptions that require the destruction of long gun sales and transfer records. AB 1810 would require the preservation of records for long guns sold or transferred after July 1, 2012. AB 1810 would protect law enforcement and them to solve long gun crime: MORE>

Under existing law, firearm sales and transfer records are created after a background

check on a firearm purchaser or new owner is completed. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains records of handguns sold or transferred in California in a state database. Unfortunately, sales and transfer records for long guns must currently be destroyed within five days of a cleared transaction.

Law enforcement uses sales and transfer records of handguns to solve handgun crimes, identify illegal trafficking channels, return stolen handguns, and to disarm prohibited persons, such as violent felons or domestic violence offenders, who are not allowed to possess firearms. The long gun loophole makes it much harder for law enforcement to trace long guns used in crime or identify and disarm prohibited persons in possession of long guns. The maintenance of records for long guns is necessary.

AB 1810 would increase the safety of law enforcement by providing better information regarding the guns they may face. An officer responding to a call at a residence or serving a domestic violence warrant could access the Automated Firearms System (AFS) database and be forewarned of the likelihood of encountering long guns. Many long guns put officers at greater risk because of their fire power and ability to shoot through protective vests. Moreover, even a poorly aimed shotgun could greatly injure a law enforcement officer.

AB 1810 Would Help Law Enforcement To:
olve long gun crime: Crime gun traces help law enforcement investigate and solve gun crimes by enabling the identification of the first purchaser of the gun (and subsequent handgun purchasers in California). Identification of the owner of a crime gun provides an important lead for solving the crime. The maintenance of long gun records would enable tracing the full history of long guns and help to solve long gun crimes.

 

Prior Legislation:

AB 962 DeLeón

Assemblymember Kevin de León personally delivers 1,000 postcards signed by WAGV members and supporters in support of handgun ammunition regulation and AB 962 to the Governor's office.

Signed into Legislation OCTOBER 2009