Sacramento, CA –-(Ammoland.com)-On January 23, 2013, the City of San Jose's Rules and Open Government Committee considered a proposed ordinance that would have required owners of so-called “assault weapons” to register and store such firearms with the police department, and to provide the department with a reasonable explanation of “need” before their firearms could be released to them.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) and CRPA Foundation (CRPAF), as part of their joint Local Ordinance Project effort, had attorneys from the law firm of Michel & Associates, P.C. submit a letter to the Committee opposing the proposed ordinance. The letter explained how the proposal is preempted by state law on various grounds and would be struck down in court. The Committee decided not to take any further action on the ordinance.

This is not the first local effort of this type. NRA and CRPAF previously had attorneys from Michel & Associates contact the City of Berkeley to encourage the city to repeal its “assault weapon” ordinance. Before that, NRA's attorneys received official confirmation from various cities that their “assault weapon” ordinances were considered preempted and unenforceable.

San Jose's rejection of the proposed ordinance marks the latest example of local governments understanding their limits when it comes to gun laws. Recently, the City of Capitola also thoughtfully rejected an ill-conceived package of gun control ordinances after receiving a letter from NRA/CRPAF attorneys.

On the other side, in a refreshing move that underscores the sharp cultural divide on the meaning and parameters of the right to self-defense and to keep and bear arms, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution, and the Lemoore City Council adopted a resolution in support of the Second Amendment and the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Read more here.

Support the NRA/CRPAF Legal Action Project

The NRA and CRPA joined forces in 1993 to fight local gun bans being written and pushed in California by the gun ban lobby. Their coordinated efforts became the NRA/CRPA “Local Ordinance Project” (LOP) – a statewide campaign to fight ill-conceived local efforts at gun control and educate politicians about available programs that are effective in reducing accidents and violence without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. The NRA/CRPA LOP has had tremendous success in beating back most of these anti-self-defense proposals.

In addition to fighting local gun bans, for decades the NRA has been litigating dozens of cases in California courts to promote the right to self-defense and the Second Amendment. In the post Heller and McDonald legal environment, NRA and CRPA Foundation work together to pro-actively strike down ill-conceived gun control laws and ordinances and to advance the rights of firearms owners specifically in California. Sometimes, success is more likely when litigation efforts are kept low profile, so the details of every lawsuit are not always released. To see a partial list of recent accomplishments, or to contribute to the NRA or to the CRPAF and support Second Amendment litigation, visit www.nraila.com and www.crpafoundation.org. All donations will directly support litigation efforts to advance the rights of California gun owners.

About:

The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA's members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world. Visit: www.crpa.org