SACRAMENTO — Hoping to discourage the alarming killing of African elephants, the state Senate on Wednesday voted to ban the sale of old elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn.

California made it illegal to sell ivory in 1977, but state law still permits the sale of older ivory imported more than four decades ago. If signed into law, Assembly Bill 96 would close that loophole and deter more poaching, says Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.

“This species loss is unsustainable, and African elephants are being poached at a higher rate than they are being born, which will result in their extinction,” said Atkins, the legislation’s primary sponsor. Strengthening enforcement against the illegal ivory trade will “help put an end to poaching,” she said.

The nation’s most populous state drew international attention in 2013 with its effort to reduce the killing of millions of sharks in the Pacific Ocean by banning the sale of their fins, a popular delicacy in Chinese restaurants.

The Senate approved Atkins’ bill on a 26-13 vote over the objections of critics who said it won’t be effective as long as sales of old ivory products are still permitted in other states and countries.

“This is nothing more than feel-good legislation that is basically going to make criminals of law-abiding citizens in California,” said Sen. Jeff Stone, R-Temecula.

Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, fired back at that claim, noting that Democrats are the ones trying to safeguard elephants, the symbol of the Republican Party. “We are seeing a poaching crisis that has the potential to influence an entire species of elephants and rhinos,” he said.

The measure includes exemptions for musical instruments made before 1975 that are less than 20 percent ivory; antiques over 100 years old that are less than 5 percent ivory; and sales of imports of ivory for educational or scientific purposes if the item was acquired before 1991.

Owners of ivory would be given until July 1, 2016, to sell it. After that, sales would be a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $50,000 and a year in jail.

The bill has been championed by zoos, museums and environmentalists. But it’s been opposed by the National Rifle Association and many hunting groups, which are concerned that some antique guns containing ivory will be outlawed. Merchants in San Francisco and Los Angeles Chinatowns also are worried the ban could hurt their businesses.

The Assembly has already approved the bill, but it must now approve the amended measure once more before it heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for his consideration. Brown has not taken a public position on the bill.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Jessica Calefati at 916-441-2101. Follow her at Twitter.com/Calefati.