AB 962 - Passed by Assembly, Heads to Senate

Well, people, we have one more chance to stop this thing. That's right, AB 962 has was approved by the Assembly this week by a vote of 42 to 31, and now goes to the Senate for a vote there. I am sorry to say that my Assembly Member, Jim Beall, voted in favor of this thing.

So, to reiterate, AB 962 proposes regulations on the purchase of handgun ammunition. All sales of ammunition greater than 50 rounds must take place in a face-to-face transaction, and the amount of ammunition purchased, and the identity of the purchaser (thumbprint, name, address and telephone number, driver's license number, date of birth) must be recorded.

This means that the purchase of ammunition through the internet will no longer be legal, and will probably stop.

Do you buy ammunition through the internet? I know that I do, because it is usually cheaper than purchases at gun shops. There are also decreasing numbers of gun shops that I can purchase ammunition from in my area. This law will also undoubtedly make ammunition more expensive.

Contact your state senator to log your opposition to this bill.

Amended Complaint Filed in Pena Case

In Pena v. Cid, the case challenging the California DOJ Handgun Roster, the plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint. The new complaint may be read here.

Chicago Gun Case - Petition To Appear Before SCOTUS

Attorneys for the NRA and other plaintiffs in the case challenging the Chicago, Illinois gun ban have filed a petition to have their case heard before the Supreme Court of the United States. Everyone expects this petition to be granted as there is now a circuit court split in 2nd Amendment incorporation, and such splits can onlu be resolved by the Supreme Court.

The petition may be read here, and comments on the status of the case are posted here.

Heller II - I'm Way Behind the Curve on This One

I have added a sidebar section to list events related to the second Heller case, one taking on the new gun registration law that the District of Columbia enacted in the wake of the first Heller decision.

Although first filed in July of 2008, I have listed an amended complaint because that is what is available on the lead attorney's web site. I will try to keep up with events as they happen.

This case is important to California residents because much of the D.C. law is based on or similar to California firearms law. Should all or parts of the D.C. law be struck down, then that would indicate what might happen in future and current California cases.

Update: Hanson v. District of Columbia

This case has been consolidated with the Heller II case, and explained in the Calguns Foundation wiki. I am going to find out more about the Heller II case, and begin posting more information on that case as well.

AB 962 - Passed Out of Assembly Appropriations Committee

AB 962, a bill that would regulate handgun ammunition purchases in the state, and prohibit sales of handgun ammunition over the Internet, has passed an Assembly Appropriations Committee vote and advances to the Assembly floor.

This bill would certainly accomplish two things. First, ammunition will become more expensive and vendors are forced to be licensed and keep additional records in the course of their business. Second, sales of ammunition over the Internet would be prohibited in California. The net effect will be to make ammunition more scarce for law abiding shooters, without doing much to deter crime.

Now is the time to contact your Assembly member to urge their opposition to this bill. Find your state Assembly member as this web site, and voice your opposition.

SB 585 - Bill To Ban Cow Palace Gun Shows Passes Out Senate Appropriations Commitee

Senate Bill 585 has passed a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and advances now to the Senate floor for a full vote. The time has not come for action by every citizen of California who supports gun rights: contact your state Senator to oppose this bill.

You can find out how to contact your Senator here.

Decision in McDonald Case!

As reported at the Volokh Conspiracy the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reached a decision which affirms the City of Chicage handgun ban. We now officially have a split amongst the Circuit Courts on 2nd Amendment incorporation, which means that this issue is eventually heading back to the Supreme Court.

It reamins to be seen if any motions will be made by the appellants in this case, or if they will appeal to the Supreme Court directly. Stay tuned - this one is not over yet.

UPDATE: The opinion of the court can be found here.