Legislative News Alert #4
May 12, 1999

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COLUMN: Guns, Guns, and more Guns

The tragedy that struck Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado last month has re-ignited the national debate over the easy availability of guns in our society. While there is little controversy concerning the sale and use of firearms for sporting purposes, many policymakers and an expanding majority of the American public express growing concerns about the ability of young people to secure guns which are not used for sport but expressly produced to inflict injury on humans.

In California, firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24. About 80% of the nation’s "Saturday Night Specials," cheap handguns that are sold on the street, are produced in Southern California.

For the last several years California Church IMPACT, along with a diverse coalition of other interest groups, including educators, law enforcement, and the medical community, have joined forces to advocate for a package of anti gun violence bills designed to severely restrict the availability of handguns. While several of these measures landed on former Governor Wilson's desk, all were vetoed.

This year, the coalition is again supporting a series of measures, listed below, to help curb the growing menace of handgun violence in California. We hope you will take the time to write, call, and visit your legislators this month to support these bills.

--Scott Anderson

GUN VIOLENCE BILLS MOVE FORWARD

To obtain copies of any of the bills listed below, call your legislator and request a copy, or go to the internet at: www.sen.ca.gov

Firearm availability near schools. AB 32, by Assemblymember Jack Scott (D-Altadena) would prohibit government officials from granting any new firearm dealer license or firearm manufacturer license to an applicant whose business is located within 1,000 feet of a school. AB 32 has passed the Assembly and is pending before the Senate Public Safety Committee. Please write your State Senator in support of AB 32.

Firearm safety devices. AB 106, also by Assemblymember Scott, would require that all firearms sold, transferred or manufactured after January 1, 2002 in this state be accompanied by a firearm safety device approved by the Department of Justice. The Attorney General would be directed to develop minimum safety standards for safety devices designed to reduce the unintentional injury by firearms. AB 106 has passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee and is pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Please write your Assemblymember in support of AB 106.

One-gun-a-month limit. AB 202 by Assemblymember Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles) would make it a misdemeanor for any gun dealer to sell a concealable weapon to any person who has applied to purchase a gun within a 30 day period. AB 202 has passed the Assembly and is currently pending in the Senate Public Safety Committee. Please write your State Senator in support of AB 202.

Gun show regulation. AB 1097 by Assemblymember Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) would establish a regulatory apparatus for gun show promoters throughout California. Without oversight, gun show operators set up shop in local communities providing a wide range of weapons, from handguns to semi-automatic pistols and rifles, rocket launchers, disarmed grenades and other artillery. This bill would establish a Gun Show Promoters License to be administered by the Department of AB 1097 is pending before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Please write your State Assemblymember in support of AB 1097.

Ban on Saturday Night Specials. SB 15 by State Senator Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) would ban the sale and manufacture in California of so-called "Saturday Night Specials," cheap handguns that are the weapon of choice on the streets of this state. SB 15 has passed the Senate Public Safety and Appropriations Committees and is pending on the Senate floor. This proposal passed the State Legislature twice and was vetoed both times by former Governor Pete Wilson. Please write both your State Senator and Assemblymember in support of SB 15.

Assault Weapons Ban. SB 23 by Senator Don Perata (D-Alameda) would expand the definition of assault weapons that are presently banned in California. SB 23 passed the Senate Public Safety Committee and is pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Please write your State Senator in support of SB 23.

COORDINATING YOUTH VIOLENCE PROGRAMS

Currently in California, ten state agencies handle public programs directed at curbing violence among youth . Two state commissions have recently recommended that youth crime and violence prevention oversight be consolidated for greater effectiveness within a single state agency. AB 235 by Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles) would create the Youth Violence Prevention Authority within the Office of the California Attorney General. The authority would:

• produce a statewide plan for the coordination of youth violence prevention resources and programs;
• review model violence prevention programs and identify programs suitable for replication in California;
• help local communities implement effective programs and strategies for the prevention of youth violence, with public education, training, and technical assistance;
• provide statewide leadership for the prevention of youth violence.

AB 235 is pending before the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Please write your Assemblymember in support of AB 235.