Posted on 07/15/2011 4:40:21 AM PDT by marktwain
A bill to prohibit people from openly carrying unloaded handguns in California, AB 144, heads for a vote in the state Senate soon, following its passage in May by the state Assembly and approval by the Senate Public Safety Committee. The bill, co-authored by assemblymen Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada, Flintridge) and Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) is again going before the Senate for a vote.
The bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a steep fine, to openly carry an unloaded handgun “on one’s person or in a vehicle.”
The California Police Chiefs Association, the Police Officers Research Association of California and other advocates for AB 144 contend that a loophole in the current concealed gun law creates a nuisance for the public and for police.
To protest restrictions on carrying a concealed firearm, a number of gun proponents identifying with the national “open carry” movement publicly carry or display unloaded handguns on their belts and sometimes display ammunition.
“Existing law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon, loaded or unloaded, unless granted a permit to do so,” according to the California Police Chiefs Association. But existing law doesn’t prohibit carrying an unconcealed weapon — the source of the conflict.
Portantino said police regularly receive calls from alarmed residents who see guns carried in plain sight in public venues. Responding to these complaints slows down reaction to other calls or threats.
Portantino introduced the bill to close the so-called loophole by making it a crime to carry an unloaded weapon without a permit, except under limited circumstances. It would also be a misdemeanor for someone to knowingly allow a passenger in his or her car to carry an unloaded handgun without a permit.
AB 144 is similar to a failed 2010 bill by Assemblywoman Lori Saldana (D-San Diego).
Not everyone agrees that this is a matter of public safety. Some argue that it is a demonstration of personal rights protected by the Constitution. According to Yih-Chau Chang of Responsible Citizens of California, “Not all cops in California are against every common, law-abiding citizen’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”
Responsible Citizens of California and Open Carry California both provide Web forums for gun-rights proponents to debate restrictive gun laws.
Some restaurant chains are weighing in with gun bans on their premises; others have announced that they won’t ban guns at theirs.
Permits are only granted if the police chief or sheriff want to grant them.
The Latin American drug cartels think this is a good idea.
That’s right. There is nothing quite like unarmed victims to get criminal’s excited.
“Portantino introduced the bill to close the so-called loophole by making it a crime to carry an unloaded weapon without a permit.”
Remember when we had something called the 2nd Amd?
Another reason I’m glad I fled Kalifornimexistan.
It’s either Leno or Ammiano, both from Frisco, fraking up the state with useless intrusive laws.
C’mon big one (and if any FReepers live on the fault line, well, hope you’re on vacation)
Yes, if they lurch any more left they will be in the Pacific.
I remember riding my bike in California with my .22 rifle across the handlebars and nobody looked at me funny.
How far we’ve fallen since the mid 60s.
F’n hippies
Responding to these complaints slows down reaction to other calls or threats.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Yes, I suppose it would be unreasonable for a single officer or two to ‘check out the complaint’ before calling out the SWAT team, cordoning off 10 Square Blocks and evacuating a 3 mile radius.
I guess that are some of the "trade-offs" to living among sane, rational, people in nicer, warmer, climes.
It is not difficult to get. You can get one through the mail, but it takes a little time and some money.
The Florida permit costs about $130, plus some training if you cannot document that you have already had some training.
The process: Passed by the Calif. legislature and signed by Gov. Brown. Appealed to State Court, where the law is approved. Appealed to the 9th Circuit, where it is approved. Appealed to the Supreme Court where it is struck down.
Yes. Especially the criminals in the Federal Government.
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