The NRA is trying to block California gun violence prevention legislation
Since the massacre at Sandy Hook, there's been growing momentum to enact sensible gun violence prevention legislation like universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons. But while Congress drags its feet on these measures, states around the country have been working to strengthen their gun laws.
Now California has introduced a slate of legislation, called the LIFE Act, which would expand background check requirements, and outlaw high-capacity ammunition magazines, which played a part in dozens of mass gun murders in recent years. It will also help get guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.
The NRA has launched a lobbying effort to kill this legislation.1 That's why we're partnering with the Courage Campaign to fight back and ensure this legislation passes in California.
Become a citizen co-sponsor of the LIFE Act.
Nearly 20,000 people in California illegally own almost 40,000 guns due to a huge backlog of confiscation cases.2 One bill in the LIFE Act would use funding that the state already has to cut the backlog and ensure more timely future enforcement, making our state safer in the process.
Here's a list of all the bills included in the LIFE Act:
* Senate Bill 140 (Leno/Steinberg) gives law enforcement the resources to confiscate the guns of Californians who are known to illegally possess them, currently there is an 18,000 person backlog;
* SB 53 (de León) requires a background check for all ammunition purchases;
* SB 47 (Yee) closes a loophole in California's assault weapons ban that allows guns with a "bullet button" to sneak through;
* SB 396 (Hancock) outlaws "mega-magazines" that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition;
* SB 755 (Wolk) expands the list of Californians who can't legally own guns to include those convicted of multiple drug/alcohol convictions, carrying ammunition onto school grounds, active participation in street gangs, and others;
* SB 374 (Steinberg) bans semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and retroactively requires an ownership record for all guns;
* SB 683 (Block) expands safety certificate requirements to long guns, rather than just handguns;
* SB 567 (Jackson) closes a loophole in California's definition of an illegal shotgun to include a shotgun with a revolving cylinder and a rifled bore.
California already has some of the nation's strongest gun violence prevention laws, but critical loopholes are undermining their effectiveness. The LIFE Act would help plug some of those loopholes and put in place critical new regulations that address dangers from recent mass shootings.
Become a citizen co-sponsor of the LIFE Act and show the NRA that Californians are on board with this strong gun violence prevention legislation.
Thank you for standing up to the NRA.
1. George Skelton, "A no-brainer to everyone -- except the gun lobby." LA Times, March 6, 2013.
2. Aaron Sankin, "California Gun Control: First Of 30 Post-Sandy Hook Bills Approved By State Legislature." Huffington Post, March 7, 2013.