AB 352 (Koretz, 7/5/05)—Would require semiauto handguns, in order to be considered "safe" under the "unsafe handgun" law, to have the identification of the handgun etched or engraved inside the firing chamber such that each casing from a fired cartridge would be marked with the handgun identification. How well will the case eject if its outer wall has been pressed into the depressions in the wall of the firing chamber? Would make you a felon, under federal law, for eliminating firearm identification markings if you were to change the barrel of the handgun.. July 5 amendment is only setting effectivity date 2 years farther out. Stalled for now, but will be back in one form or another next Jan.
AB 754 (introduced version) (Jones, am. 4/11/05 & 4/28)—Would change some regulations relative to dealers. The bill is complex because of some re-organization. An abbreviated version of the amended bill that includes only material related to the significant changes. Passed legislature but vetoed by Gov..
AB 944 (Ridley-Thomas, 5/3/05)—Would require the dealer notices and sales contracts to include the propaganda: "Warning: The State of California has determined that guns in the home are much more likely to be used to kill or injure a household member than to protect against an attacker. It is safest not to keep a gun in the home. If a gun is kept in the home, it should be kept unloaded and securely locked, with the ammunition locked up separately." The bill also is complicated by seemingly the same "reorganization" as in AB 754. Passed the asm. & is now at sen psc, where it was set for a 6/21 hearing but was not heard—indicating that the author is probably amending the bill. May 3 amendment is only insignificant changes.
AB 996 (Ridley-Thomas, am. 7/13/05)—Would prohibit handgun ammo from being directly accessible by customers wherever it is sold. Passed asm on May 23. Amended to apply only to handgun ammo, but also to permit local govts to restrict not only the sale of handgun ammo but also your storage of it. Passed legislature but vetoed by Gov.
SB 59 (Lowenthal, am 9/2/05)—Would make it a crime not to report a firearm loss or theft within five work days afterward, or after someone thinks you should reasonably have known of that loss or theft. Apr 20 amendment would make this apply only to firearms registered by the DoJ after 2005. So, would we have to do a daily inventory of our firearms? Passed sen, asm psc; & (on 6/29) asm appns cmte. Shelved by author but will be back next Jan in one form or another.
SB 357 (Dunn, am. 5/4/05 & 5/18)—Would require "handgun" ammunition serialization & registration (specifically including all .22 rimfire ammo). Would make it illegal to make, sell or possess unserialize ammo or to reload except with serialized bullets. Would increase ammo costs (both mfg & 1/2 cent per round tax) and dealer record-keeping costs that would be passed on to us. Passed sen & asm psc. At asm appns cmte., where it has reportedly been withdrawn from consideration for the rest of this year pending some research on costs. It will probably be back with amendment in Jan.
SB 585 (orig. issue) (Kehoe, am. 4/26/05)—Would change law re. confiscation of firearms possessed by persons under protective orders. Would require immediate relinquishment, would allow the family court judge to order police to search, and would provide for the person requesting the order to specify on the application where the person thinks the subject's firearms will be. Did not make it past the sen appns cmte, but may be back next session.