Limits on guns advance in California Legislature

Sacramento Bee ^ | 4/13/11 | Torey Van Oot

[SmithL]

Lawmakers seeking to revive two controversial gun bills made progress Tuesday, as an Assembly committee approved proposals targeting the "open carry" protest movement and requiring records on long gun sales.

Assembly Bill 144, by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, would make it a crime to openly carry an unloaded handgun in public. A number of circumstances and activities would be exempt from the ban, including some ceremonies, hunting and gun shows.

"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or Starbucks," Portantino said in testimony to the Assembly Public Safety Committee. "You don't need a sidearm in order to buy a cheeseburger."

Lawmakers first tackled the issue last year in response to organized demonstrations of people brandishing firearms in public to protest gun-control laws, including a 2009 rally outside an Arizona convention center where President Barack Obama was speaking. An open carry ban introduced by then-Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, D-San Diego, failed to clear both houses in its final form by last year's deadline for passing bills.

[muawiyah]

There are numerous places in California where you definitely need a firearm if you want to buy a hamburger unmolested by the locals.

I think people like Portantino spend too much behind the barriers to their gated communities.

If they could just get the elitists out of the place California would probably be a decent place.

[Soothesayer]

I couldn’t care less. The gun restrictions will make it easier for California’s gangs to slaughter the unarmed leftist population. It’s all good.

[Captain Kirk]

Please note that this is a term-limited legislature.

[Beagle8U]

You mean like JimRob?

[NRA1995]

"You don't need a sidearm in order to buy a cheeseburger."

No, but you need one to protect yourself from the buttheads who decide to tear up the joint because the counter help didn't give them enough little containers of ketchup.

[kiryandil]

"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or Starbucks, [unless you're a Body-Armored, Submachinegun-Toting Government Stormtrooper]" Portantino said in testimony to the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

[Gaffer]

I think people like Portantino spend too much behind the barriers to their gated communities

They do not realize that the illegals whose potential Democrat illegal votes they covet, the votes of the public wards (heavy net users of public services and finances), criminal elements and all-round no good M'effers infesting that state will immediately invade their gated enclaves when the shit hits the financial fan there. They deserve what they're gonna get.

[CodeToad]

But no limits on the illegal aliens doing the crimes. Kali is a goner.

[backwoods-engineer]

"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or Starbucks,"

And right there is one of the basic problems of our society: Hollywood propaganda has become, in the perception of the sheeple, reality.

[backwoods-engineer]

"You don't need a sidearm in order to buy a cheeseburger."

Yet another reason for me NEVER TO RETURN to Kali-fornya; I don't NEED some statist telling me what I don't need.

Molon labe, b!tches.

[Soothesayer]

What the hell is JimRob doing in California?! Might as well live in Afghanistan!

[Beagle8U]

He lives there, and you page you are typing on is housed there. You should pull your head out of your ass before you wish ill of all CA residents. There are quite a few that aren't moonbats.

[TLI]

"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or Starbucks," Portantino said

I noticed she did not list Safeway stores...

.

[Disambiguator]

While the bill wasn't prompted by the January shooting of Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Portantino said one response he heard to the attack – that armed onlookers could have intervened and put a stop to the shooter – demonstrates why the change is needed.

"The last thing you need is a hail of bullets in a supermarket," he said.

Once again, a liberal demonstrates unintentional irony.

[DCBryan1]

What the hell is JimRob doing in California?! Might as well live in Afghanistan!

I would LOVE to live in San Louis Obispo county, specifically, Paso Robles. Close to the ocean, Sierras, and wine country....and close to my in-laws whom I love (and help babysit). In fact, wife and I are looking for jobs and homes in the area to be closer to family.

However three (3) issues keep me from moving: No shall-issue concealed carry, "assault weapons" (no such thing) ban, and high cost of living.

[Red in Blue PA]

"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or Starbucks," Portantino said in testimony to the Assembly Public Safety Committee. "You don't need a sidearm in order to buy a cheeseburger."

So then I can only presume that no politicians will have armed security in California? AFter all, at lunch their armed security staff will need to buy a hamburger.

[Red in Blue PA]

When people, even Pro-2A people, ask me why I carry, THIS is why I carry!!!!!!!!!!!

A right unexercised is a right lost!

[Red in Blue PA]

Meant to post:

When people, even Pro-2A people, ask me why I OPEN carry, THIS is why I OPEN carry!!!!!!!!!!!

A right unexercised is a right lost!

[SmithL]

Concord's Burger King murder: http://www.contracostatimes.com/concord/ci_17818739