Package of Gun Bills Moving Through State Legislature


SACRAMENTO -- Two new California gun bills passed the Senate Public Safety Committee Tuesday, and are moving on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB-1176 is designed to solve a dilemma created by Proposition 47. That proposition made it a misdemeanor to steal items valued at $950 or less. Under AB-1176, the theft of any firearm would be a felony, even if the gun is worth less than $950.

The other bill, AB-857, addresses untraceable, undetectable guns. The law would make it illegal to manufacture or poses a self-made, self-assembled gun unless it has a serial number. Makers would need to get a serial number for their gun from the Department of Justice. Antique guns would be exempt.

The bills were presented by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove.
