CA Fighting Gun Bills

The California State Legislature is now back in session in Sacramento until mid-September, and several bills of concern to hunters, sportsmen and gun owners are again before California lawmakers for consideration, including Assembly Bill 711, a ban on the use of traditional ammunition in hunting (now on the suspense calendar until Aug. 29), and Senate Bill 374, which seeks to expand the state’s already strict limitations on modern sporting rifles. Strongly supported by the anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States, AB 711 would make California the first state to completely ban the use of traditional lead ammunition for hunting. Banning traditional ammunition for hunting statewide is only the first step, as many legislators acknowledge the fact that a ban on ALL traditional ammunition used for shooting sports will be next. Between now and the end of August please make every attempt to contact your State senator. Listen to the latest NSSF radio commercial opposing AB 711 here. SB 374 has been amended since its introduction; however, the bill still expands the definition of “assault weapon” to include all semiautomatic rifles, except those chambered in rimfire and those with fixed magazines of up to 10 rounds. The bill also includes language that defines “bullet button” rifles and others that need a tool for magazine release as assault weapons and requires their registration. The bill still also bans a huge number of “commonly owned” rifles. NSSF will continue to track this onerous legislation and keep you informed of developments.