BREAKING NEWS: Open Carry in CA

[PapaBear]

The latest on California politics and government

June 1, 2010

Assembly passes ban on carrying unloaded handguns in public
Legislation to outlaw the carrying of unloaded handguns in public was passed Tuesday by the Assembly.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1934, received the bare-minimum number of votes necessary, passing 41-25, with Republicans opposed.

The bill was crafted in response to a protest movement, "Open Carry," in which activists wield unloaded guns in public places to publicize opposition to gun-control laws as well as difficulties in obtaining concealed-weapons permits.

Supporters of AB 1934 said that current law places police in an untenable position, responding to reports of gun-wielding pedestrians but unable legally to demand that such protesters show identification or proof that their weapon is registered.

Opponents countered that AB 1934 would infringe on Californians' right to bear arms and to protest peacefully in whatever manner they choose.

State law bans the carrying of loaded firearms in public, but not unloaded weapons.

AB 1934 would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, to carry an exposed, unloaded gun in a public place or on a public street inside a city or in prohibited unincorporated areas of a county.

The bill contains numerous exceptions, including display of a firearm by a peace officer, authorized military organization, firearm dealer, or by a licensed hunter while engaged in that sport.

AB 1934 now goes to the Senate.

Read more: Capitol Alert: Assembly passes ban on carrying unloaded handguns in public

[pgg]

I'm disappointed but not surprised in this god forsaken state.

[Xiphos]

Really, who's surprised? What surprised me was that it was legal there in the first place. I'm shocked this law isn't already 40 years old.

[ChesCopPodz]

While Im against gun control laws like this, who would carry an unloaded gun in the open?

[Xiphos]

While Im against gun control laws like this, who would carry an unloaded gun in the open?

It was a loophole that was exploited to demonstrate against government intrusion and gun control.

[PapaBear]

Really, who's surprised? What surprised me was that it was legal there in the first place. I'm shocked this law isn't already 40 years old.

It would have been but the narrow minded politicians of CA could not foresee the Open Carry movement who have taken it upon themselves to conduct idiotic demonstrations to prove a point. The problem is that the point was overcome by this inane legislative action.

Leave it to a few to foul it up for the many.

[MacLean]

I don't think the few fouled it up for the many, I think the government slapped back at those insolent serfs...

How dare they challenge the King.

The Militia Laws should be repealed and none suffered to be re-enacted & the Arms of all the People should be taken away, & every piece of Ordnance removed into the Governor's Stores, nor should any Foundry or manufacture of Arms, Gun-powder, or Warlike Stores, be ever suffered in California, nor should any Gunpowder, Lead, Arms or Ordnance be imported into it without License; they will have but little need of such things for the future, as the California Highway Patrol will be sufficient to protect them from danger.