SACRAMENTO, CA – California Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed anti-gun Senate Bill 347, reports Second Amendment civil rights advocates at Firearms Policy Coalition.

“We’re very pleased that Governor Brown agreed with us on this dangerous and unnecessary legislation,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “This is a victory for civil rights and common sense.”

In its letter requesting a veto of the gun control bill, Firearms Policy Coalition argued, “Making the simple, non-violent possession of ammunition (itself only a misdemeanor) result in a ten-year loss of fundamental, individual civil rights—with far-reaching consequences for subjects of prosecutions and their family members alike—does not advance public safety nor does it represent fair and just governance.”

“The severe punishment and loss of civil rights under Senate Bill 347 simply does not fit the crime in [California Penal Code] § 30310, and SB 347 should be vetoed accordingly.”

Governor Brown’s veto message mirrored FPC’s analysis of the measure.

“Over the last several decades, California’s criminal code has grown to more that 5,000 separate provisions, covering almost every conceivable form of human misbehavior….Before we keep going down this road,” Brown said, “I think we should pause and reflect on how our system of criminal justice could be made more human, more just and more cost effective.”

SB 347 was a Brady Campaign priority bill.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit public benefit organization. FPC’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.