SACRAMENTO, CA (September 28, 2018) — This afternoon, California Governor Jerry Brown issued a legislative update that included new action on a number of firearm bills. Firearms Policy Coalition reports the following:

"We're disappointed that Governor Brown chose to further expand California's already-insane gun control laws that infringe on fundamental, individual rights," said FPC Grassroots Director Richard Thomson. "The billionaire-funded gun control machine was on overdrive this year and sent him the largest package of anti-gun bills we’ve seen since Gunpocalyspe in 2016.

"We're grateful that so many people stepped up and helped us get vetoes on some of these bills."

FPC had harsh words about the gun control bills that were signed. "SB 1100 is about age discrimination, pure and simple," explained FPC Legislative Advocate and Spokesperson Craig DeLuz. "It’s just another 'split-the-baby' outcome by Governor Brown to appear 'balanced', but it's never acceptable to infringe on fundamental rights. On one hand, he signed a bill to eliminate the constitutionally-protected right of law-abiding legal adults from acquiring guns, and then shot down a plan to expand firearms rationing and ban gun shows on State property."

"Governor Brown just told millions of people under 21 that they can fight and die for our state and country with machine guns, but they can't buy a gun for self-defense in their homes. That's nuts."

In its letter requesting a veto of Senate Bill 1100, FPC wrote:

Senate Bill 1100 would generally prohibit the sale or transfer of any firearm by a licensed dealer to persons under 21 years of age. This bill would deny millions of responsible, law-abiding adults under the age of 21 their fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms secured under the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.

Recognition of the right of adults over 18 to keep and bear firearms dates back to the Founding Era. And the Second Militia Act of 1792 required that all “able-bodied male citizen[s]” over the age of 18 acquire and keep a military-grade firearm in operable condition.

Raising the age limit for firearm ownership to 21 not only ignores the text, history, and meaning of the Constitution—it’s inconsistent with federal law, which includes 18 to 20-year-olds as part and parcel of the American militia. “The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and . . . under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States.” 10 U.S.C. § 246(a).

"We have directed our attorneys to explore every available legal remedy," FPC President Brandon Combs commented. "We will continue to file lawsuits to challenge unconstitutional laws and remain cautiously optimistic that the Supreme Court will once more soon weigh in on Second Amendment rights."

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"Our constitutional rights do not stop at state lines or city limits. FPC looks forward to restoring the Constitution and the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms in California and other tyrannical states and cities across the country," Combs concluded. 

Gov. Brown previously vetoed AB 2888, which would have radically expanded the state's "gun violence restraining order" scheme, and AB 1927, which would have created a new mandate for the Department of Justice to study and make a recommendation to the Legislature about how the state could establish a "California Do Not Sell List". Two days ago, Brown signed AB 2103 and SB 1346. Last week, Gov. Brown vetoed SB 1424, another bill opposed by FPC.

California gun owners who want to support pro-gun lawsuits and legal action should join FPC, or make a tax-deductible donation here or here.

Gov. Brown announced today that he vetoed the following bills:

• SB 221 - FPC Opposed - Would have banned gun shows at the Cow Palace in Daly City, CA (SF Bay Area) (veto message)
• SB 1177 - FPC Opposed - Would have limited all firearm purchases to 1 every 30 days (veto message)
• AB 1903 - FPC Opposed - Would have prohibited dispensing gift cards from gun sellers for gun buyback programs (veto message)

Gov. Brown announced today that he signed the following bills:

• SB 1100 - FPC Opposed - Will prohibit sales of firearms or ammo to anyone under 21 years of age with certain exemptions such as law enforcement
• SB 1200 - FPC Opposed - Expands GVROs to include magazines
• AB 1968 - FPC Opposed - Implements a lifetime ban on firearm ownership by individuals that have been admitted to a mental health facility more than once in a 1-year period
• AB 2526 - FPC Opposed - Allows GVROs to be issued verbally by Judicial Officers
• AB 3129 - FPC Opposed - Implements a lifetime ban on firearm ownership by individuals convicted of any misdemeanor domestic violence

Firearms Policy Coalition (www.firearmspolicy.org) is a 501(c)4 grassroots nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to defend the Constitution of the United States, especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, through advocacy, legal action, education, and outreach.

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