Who's Protecting Your Rights?

Governor Schwarzenegger, you have just signed a severe yet impotent gun control measure into law. Assembly Bill 962. By signing this legislation and requiring ammunition retailers to store ammunition away from purchasers, you have added an additional burden to an already difficult economic situation. AB 692 also failed to garner support from Attorney General Brown, and any law enforcement organization. In fact, 15 sheriffs wrote letters of opposition to this legislation. You should listen more to them than the media.

This law presents intrusive and unnecessary burdens that will only affect law-abiding firearm retailers and gun-owners…not criminals, I echo the words of NRA spokesman Chris Cox, as well as many of my associates when I say that at a time when California is facing dire budget problems, California has squandered valuable resources in policing law-abiding Californians instead of investing in substantive measures that target criminals, as well as implementing those laws already on the books to do the same. More than two decades ago, Congress abolished similar requirements to U.S. federal law because ammunition sales records were found to be ineffective for solving crimes. It is indeed regrettable that foolish minds and bogus arguments prevailed over common sense and empirical evidence. We won’t mention anything at this time about these individuals blatant disregard for our second amendment rights.

Governor Schwarzenegger, thank you for vetoing Senate Bill 585, a bill that would have prohibited the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace in Daly City, just outside of San Francisco, and for signed Senate Bill 175, which will exempt gunsmiths from a vague California law. This is a common sense exemption that will now allow for the exchange of a firearm to or from a gunsmith for purposes of service or repair.

“Governor, you acted in the interest of good public policy with your actions to SB 585 and SB 175. But, in signing AB 962, you have paved the way for one of the most intrusive and ineffective gun control laws that California has seen in recent years. Please know that my associates and I will be actively involved and participation with the National Rifle Association and other organizations as they review all possible options to remove this draconian requirement from California statute, and will participate where ever possible as they assess legislative and legal remedies to do so.