Even with the temperate climate and incredible natural features, gun owners are under siege almost daily by an overreaching government that cannot wait to pile new laws on top of old ones to eradicate even more Second Amendment rights.
The state Senate is set to hold hearings on even more anti-firearm legislation. This comes in the wake of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee hearing and passing Assembly Bill 1587 last week. This onerous measure not only allows, it requires credit card companies to enact financial surveillance on gun purchasers.
This bill runs counter to recent actions by other state governments and backtracking by financial industry giants. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover were all set to begin using a new merchant category code (MCC) to track firearm and ammunition purchases this year.
However, Second Amendment advocacy organizations and several states rose in unison against this clearly unconstitutional overreach, and it was defeated in March. Now it is being revived in California as part of the legislature’s war on personal liberties.
But anti-gun zealots are throwing a temper tantrum over the successful destruction of what would have been in effect a gun registry. AB 1587 would accomplish exactly what financial giants wisely chose to avoid — an unworkable patchwork system of transaction protocols that vary from state to state.
But AB 1587 is far from the only state measure targeting gun rights in California.
AB 28 is a new state attempt to price firearms out of range for many buyers. It would place an excise tax of 11% on the purchase price of all firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition.
The reasoning behind this proposed hike is that California retailers would collect this tax before it is put in a so-called “gun violence” fund to be doled out by the state. This is nothing more than attempting to squeeze more revenue out of law-abiding citizens and penalize those who exercise their constitutional rights.
AB 574 is another stab at individual liberties aimed directly at gun owners. It would require them, when filling out the Dealer Record of Sale, to acknowledge they have checked and confirmed possession of every firearm they own or control within the last 30 days.
It would apply to gun owners who have multiple residences and those who store weapons in safe deposit boxes. Individuals would be prevented from purchasing firearms if they had not personally checked every location.
Further, it runs contrary to the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
Another proposal, AB 1133, institutes sweeping yet vague mandates on training courses required for those seeking a concealed carry permit. The California Department of Justice is handed broad powers to enforce new protocols, including written examinations for applicants.
As everyone knows, any test may be worded in such a way as to prevent nearly anyone from passing.
AB 1089 is aimed at California’s machinists who have an interest in forging their own weapons. It seeks to prevent hobbyists from using CNC milling machines or even possessing ones with the primary purpose of producing firearms. The state already has a law banning this practice by private citizens, and this merely expands its scope.
And AB 733 bans state and local governments from selling surplus firearms, ammunition, and body armor.
Even though these are legal to own, municipalities and others would be prevented from doing the financially responsible thing and ridding themselves of unneeded items purchased with taxpayer dollars.
California lawmakers are clearly digging in against the Second Amendment. There is no telling how much midnight oil has burned in their brainstorming efforts to think of measures to place a heavier burden on law-abiding gun owners.
State citizens would be wise to contact their elected officials and voice their displeasure over these bills.
