New California Bills Impose Tighter Gun Controls

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed two bills into law that are intended to keep firearms out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

The first bill he announced signing Friday, AB1964, addresses single-shot handguns.

Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, said a loophole in existing law lets people buy guns that do not meet state safety requirements if they have been temporarily turned into single-shot weapons. The buyer then can convert them back into a weapon that fires multiple bullets.

Brown also signed AB1591, which speeds up how quickly courts must notify the state Department of Justice when it determines that a person can no longer legally own a firearm in California.

Residents on the central coast had mixed reactions to the tighter gun laws in California.

“I think it’s kind of violating the American Constitution per every American to protect their own rights,” said Inna Macpherson.

“Especially after the incident that just occurred here in our hometown, I think absolutely we need to have stricter gun laws. Thank you Gov. Brown,” said Santa Barbara resident Scott Mulber.

The bills are among several introduced in response to recent gun violence.

In the wake of the recent mass murder in Isla Vista, Assemblyman Das Willimas is promoting a bill that would create a gun violence restraining order. It basically would allow families to notify law enforcement about an unstable relative. That bill is expected to get to the Governor’s desk by the end of the year.