email from Sen. Cox:
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After a push by the democratic leadership in the State Senate, Assembly Bill 962 and Senate Bill 585 passed yesterday afternoon with the bare-minimum 21 votes. No member of the Senate Republican Caucus voted to pass either bill.
Assembly Bill 962 (De Leon), a bill relating to ammunition, is similar to Assembly Bill 2062 (2008) and Assembly Bill 362 (2007) by the same author. AB 962 passed the full Assembly on June 3 by a vote of 42-31 and was passed by the Senate on September 10 by a vote of 21 to 18. The bill will return to the Assembly for a concurrence vote.
AB 962 is a far-reaching measure which implements extensive reporting and record-keeping requirements for all licensed gun dealers who sell handgun ammunition. The bill also requires handgun ammunition sales to occur in face-to-face transactions, effectively prohibiting internet sales to residents of California. The requirements listed in this measure are impractical and would do more to inconvenience lawful gun owners more than deter criminals. Prior versions of the bill outlawed the transfer of more than 50 rounds of handgun ammunition in a month; however, that provision was removed from the final version of the bill. I voted against AB 962 when it came before me.
Senate Bill 585 (Leno), a bill which would prohibit firearms sales at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. The language in SB 585 is virtually identical to the final language contained in Assembly Bill 2498 (Leno) from the 2007-08 legislative session and would prohibit firearms sales at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.
SB 585 is an effort to allow the City and/or County of San Francisco to discriminate against legitimate gun show participants and vendors who must comply with stringent state regulations affecting licensing, sales, background checks, liability and other provisions of state law governing gun shows, although the property in question is owned by the state, not the county. SB 585 passed from the Assembly on September 9 by a vote of 45 to 33, and passed from the Senate on September 10 by a vote of 21 to 18. I voted against this bill when it came before me.
Both of these bills will likely be headed to the Governor’s desk for either his signature or veto. It is my recommendation that you contact Governor Schwarzenegger’s office to express your displeasure with these two measures. He can be reached at 916-445-2841.
My commitment to protecting the second amendment rights of law-abiding citizens remains strong. I continue to oppose legislation that will negatively impact gun rights in the State of California.
Sincerely,
DAVE COX
Senator, First District
