A mixed-bag for the Second Amendment in Sacramento

During the recently concluded legislative session, around 30 bills impacting the Second Amendment were introduced. While a number failed to pass, 18 reached the Governor’s desk.

As a life member of the NRA and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I opposed all bills introduced this session that infringed on the Second Amendment rights of Californians.

SB 374 was perhaps the most egregious of the bills forwarded to the Governor. This legislation would have banned the sale of semi-automatic rifles with removable magazines, essentially banning an entire class of hunting rifles. Fortunately, Governor Brown vetoed SB 374.

AB 711, another bill garnering a lot of attention, bans the use of lead ammunition by hunters beginning in 2019. This bill, along with SB 683 which requires purchasers of long guns to obtain a safety certificate similar to one now required for hand guns, was signed into law by Governor Brown.

It could have been worse. Seven of the anti-Second Amendment bills that landed on the Governor’s desk were vetoed.

It is my hope that the anti-gun majority in the Legislature has now seen its last, best chance to gut the Second Amendment. Rest assured I will continue to oppose any assaults on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, so that one of our most important inalienable rights can continue to be enjoyed by free men and women.