State lawmakers propose tough gun laws Gun advocates pledge fight over California proposals

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is flanked by state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco (second from left), and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee as he discusses public officials' support for legislative ideas to restrict guns and ammunition in California. less Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is flanked by state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco (second from left), and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee as he discusses public officials' support for legislative ideas to ... more Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, Associated Press Photo: Rich Pedroncelli, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close State lawmakers propose tough gun laws 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Sacramento --

California would significantly restrict gun use and ownership, including major new bans on ammunition magazines, under dozens of new proposed regulations that would cement the state's status of having the strictest gun-control laws in the United States.

The magnitude of restrictions introduced by Democrats is greater than gun-rights advocates say they have ever seen at one time and puts the debate in California in the forefront, even as Congress considers a number of gun laws. The drive for tougher regulations in California also highlights the relative weakness of the gun lobby and gun manufacturers in the state.

Restrictions would include a ban on possession of all high-capacity magazines. Such magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition and that were purchased before the state banned them in 2000 are currently legal.

Also, lawmakers proposed a ban on the sale of any long gun with a detachable magazine, classifying such guns as assault weapons.

'Exploiting the fine print'

State lawmakers announced those proposals at a news conference Thursday, along with plans to impose stricter certification requirements for handgun ownership and a requirement that all guns in the state be registered, not just handguns as is required now. Other recent proposals include a tax on ammunition and requiring that gun owners acquire liability insurance.

The gun industry "is very adept at exploiting the fine print and finding ways to get around the letter of the law," said state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento. "The time is now to close those loopholes in the circulation, in regulation and in the education relating to guns and to gun ownership."

He said he acknowledged the argument that new restrictions won't stop gun violence in neighborhoods, but he said they would save some lives.

"If we can save lives, we must act to do so," Steinberg said.

Lawmakers were joined by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, both Democrats, and public safety officials from around the state.

Audible evidence

Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus played a recording of dozens and dozens of gunshots fired in rapid succession over just a few seconds at 11 p.m. at Stege Avenue and Cutting Boulevard that were picked up by the city's gunfire recording system soon after it was put in place.

"I live a mile away from that intersection, so I can tell you this is a quality-of-life issue, even when someone isn't struck by one of those rounds," Magnus said.

Not all of the measures announced Thursday have been put in bill form, but they and other recent proposals include:

-- Requiring all handgun owners to obtain an annual safety certificate akin to that required for obtaining a concealed weapons permit, which requires holders to take hours-long courses in gun use and safety.

-- Barring the loaning or sale of a firearm between people who know each other personally.

-- Requiring gun owners to purchase insurance to cover the cost of any damage that could result from use of a firearm.

-- A 5-cent tax on each bullet purchased, with the money to be spent on either policing in high-crime areas or mental-illness screening and treatment for children.

-- Requirements for ammunition sellers to be registered and sales reported to state officials.

In all, state Senate Democrats plan to introduce seven bills; while in the Assembly, 13 bills and one resolution have been introduced so far, and more may be coming. The bills contain multiple gun regulations.

'Off the charts'

Gun-rights advocates said the proposals are either unconstitutional or unnecessary and that there was no comparison to any past legislative session in their magnitude.

"This is off the charts, and none of these laws that are being proposed will prevent crime or solve crime," said Sam Paredes, executive director of the Gun Owners of California. He said lawmakers should instead find ways to better fund courts and the Department of Justice to ensure that guns do not get into the hands of the mentally ill.

Fight promised

But even with a Democratic majority intent on new regulations, Paredes said gun owners and Second Amendment advocates would fight hard against them in the Legislature and then in the courts.

"Nothing has gone to unify the pro-gun community, the pro-Second Amendment community more than the attacks that we are facing," he said, adding that they were the most "in the history of California and maybe the history of the United States."

Still, lawmakers said they believe the public has given them a mandate for action.

"In general, I think due to the recent tragedies that have happened, I think that has emboldened members to put forth bills," said Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, who is chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

And they have law-enforcement officials pushing them forward, too. Emeryville Police Chief Ken James called the proposals "reasonable" and said they would benefit police officers.

When officers encounter guns, he said, "that is a high-stress, high-intensity situation for us. It takes it out of us. It scares us."