Must people who follow gun laws and gun rights issues are aware by now that over the weekend, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California AB 962. AB 962 requires registration (complete with thumbprint) of purchasers of handgun ammunition, requires retailers to keep the ammunition inaccessible to customers, forbids mail order purchases of handgun ammunition, etc.
Although proponents of this legislation reassured hunters and others that the new law would only affect handgun ammo, leaving rifle ammunition unaffected, this ignores the fact that many calibers are chambered in both rifles and handguns. Given the state of California's politics and "justice" system, I would certainly not want to bet on getting much benefit of the doubt on what is counted as potential handgun ammo, and what is not.
Speaking of which, one gun rights advocate I know well, at his online journal Days of Our Trailers, points out that the law seems to define "ammunition" in ways that one apparently must be a statist politician to understand.
12317. (a) Any person, corporation, or firm who supplies,
delivers, sells, or gives possession or control of, any ammunition
to any person who he or she knows or using reasonable care should
know is prohibited from owning, possessing, or having under his
or her custody or control, any ammunition or reloaded ammunition
pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section
12316, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment
in a county jail not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding
one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and
imprisonment.
[ . . . ]
(c) For purposes of this section, “ammunition” shall include,
but not be limited to, any bullet, cartridge, magazine, clip, speed
loader, autoloader, or projectile capable of being fired from a
firearm with deadly consequence. “Ammunition” does not include
blanks..
That is taken directly from the text of the legislation--I omitted subsection (b) for the sake of brevity--and seems to indicate that magazines (whether "high capacity," or not), revolver speedloaders, unloaded bullets (not whole cartridges--just the projectiles themselves), etc., will fall under the scope of this insane law.
I don't claim to be proficient enough in legalese to be sure that this law will do what I think it does, but if so, the only possible intent of this is to find a way to end, for all practical purposes, possession and use of firearms, without an outright ban--thus nullifying the "victory" of Heller.
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Austin Gun Rights Examiner Howard Nemerov will be on NRA News' flagship program "Cam & Company" tonight at 11:40pm Eastern to talk about his article California's new ammunition law: Costs and consequences
Visit NRA News to listen live to the broadcast! If you miss the show, you can listen to an archived edition until the the next live edition of "Cam & Company" airs.
NRA News is a daily internet and satellite radio (Sirius Patriot 144) news program sponsored by the NRA. Listen weekdays from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM EDT for the latest in Second Amendment related news and politics.
Comments
They never give up I can say that for them. Always trying to find a new way of limiting gun ownership even though only a small fraction of crimes are commited with legal firearms.
If there are any ammo suppliers with a conscience they will refuse to sell to ANY governmental entities in California as long as these rules are in force. Not holding my breath.
Thanks for the article Kurt.
This abominable law is one more nail in the coffin for California. As far as I can foresee it will turn California into a heaven for gang-bangers and criminals. Especially for the thousands of criminals due to be release on early parole from the over crowded prisons.
I agree with Kent McManingal, it's high time for ammunition manufacturers to form a coalition to boycott California. If honest law abiding taxpaying citizens are not considered trust worthy enough to buy ammunition, and firearms of their choice, without being treated like common criminals, then neither should law enforcement.
If Californians aren't scared yet, they'd better get really f'ing scared, really f'ing quickly! Pardon the language.
Kent and Joshua, I should have mentioned that I will be watching (without a much in the way of expectations) for ammo manufacturers to follow Ronnie Barrett's principled lead, in refusing to do business with California government agencies. My National Gun Rights Examiner colleague, David Codrea, discussed that in his article (first link below the photo).
I don't give many guarantees of late Kurt, but I'm willing to stick my neck out and say that Ronnie Barrett is unique in the industry.
Most ammunition and firearm manufactures will not have the stones, like Ronnie Barrett, to join a California boycott. It's a dog eat dog business and there will be winners and losers. However my money is going to the chosen few who have the cojones to stand up and not be intimidated.
That part of AB 962 you quoted is actually pre-existing California law: ammunition has that broad definition in general in California. I confess, however, that I did not make the connection between AB 962 and that particular nuance.
It does seem to be valid, however.
Left Coast Conservative
Joshua, with ammo still mighty scarce in some places, and expensive everywhere, why in the world would the California market be a big loss for any ammo producer?
But, in any case, I'm putting out an open invitation to any and all producers to move their operations to Wyoming. And those in California who are sick and tired of being treated like cattle are welcome too!
With only 3.4 people per square mile... we've got room for you!
Hi MamaLiberty!
Thanks for the invitation to Wyoming! I moved from California to Florida in 2002 when I saw the anti-gun writing on the wall. If I'm not mistaken, California represents about 10% of the ammunition market in the U.S.
You're right about the ammo demand. In 2011 when the CA ammo "ban" (we should start calling it that because that's effectively what it is) goes into effect ammo sales in CA will almost certainly crater as ammo prices increase beyond the means of all but the most affluent gun owners. The rest of country may see a slight improvement in the availability, however as others have pointed out, CA gun laws have a nasty habit of migrating eastward into the rest of the country. I'm already drafting letters to my elected officials putting them on notice that any such cretinous laws here in Florida will be never be tolerated, accepted, or followed by Florida gun owners and it's non-negotiable.
You have an open invitation to visit Florida anytime!
The simple understanding to be derived here is when the focus of attention on the object GUNS--is no longer useful for purposes of obfuscation, diversion and avoiding responsibility for solving for the actual problems--then more AMMUNITION LAWS must necessarily be enacted.
There’s a reason California is bankrupt, and that reason isn’t GUNS and isn’t a result of any absence of AMMUNITION LAWS.
Once again the truth is revealed that 1. government never solves for the problems it creates and 2. for each and every attempt to do so, government creates at least two problems that didn’t previously exist. None of which, of course, are ever even remotely perceived by those in government to be of any inconvenience the law-abiding.
As for Mr. S…
From Austrian to bodybuilder to immigrant to terminating actor to millionaire to RINO to Governator of a bankrupt state overrun with illegal aliens to AINO. ( American In Name Only. )
What a career.
Not that it matters, but in American history, certain actions have been taken by government which actually did result in major benefits to U.S. Citizens.
If such measure were taken today, the number of jobs available for U.S. Citizens would increase substantially, environmental and economic stresses would unarguably be lessened and crime rates in certain areas would plummet exponentially.
Anyone know what measures were taken during the Great Depression and in the early ’50’s?
Just asking.
Add Arnold Schwartzenegger (his last name means "black negro" in German) to the list of Hollywood actors who relied on guns in their action films, but who despise them in real life.
And to think that Charlton Heston, rest his soul, was mocked by gun-grabbers for being solidly pro Second Amendment, even though he played Moses in the "Ten Commandments'.
That's why they call it acting.
To Gov. Schwarzenegger: Sic Semper Tyrannis!
Yes, Gov. I do know and support the historical meaning of those Latin words.
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