Gun-Licensing Bill Passes California Senate

Drizzt · June 8, 2001, 10:28 AM

Gun-Licensing Bill Passes California Senate
Thursday, June 7, 2001

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California would license handgun owners and require them to prove they can safely handle firearms under a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday.
"I'm not aware of any other state that requires a basic, hands-on demonstration [of gun proficiency] to own a handgun," said Eric Gorovitz, western policy director for the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
"It's a simple, common-sense requirement. Once it's law in California, I think other states will quickly follow," Gorovitz said. Some other states require proficiency tests to carry a concealed weapon, but not to obtain a handgun.
"This is a bill that will save lives, that will prevent injury," said the author, Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena. His 27-year-old son, Adam, was killed when what was supposed to be an unloaded gun discharged at a party in 1993. "This bill makes sure that criminals and minors are deterred from getting handguns."
Gun buyers would have to supply a thumbprint for identification and pay a fee for background and proficiency tests under the measure. The bill, which was sent to the Assembly on a 25-15 vote, would take effect in 2003.
A similar measure is pending in the Assembly. However, Gov. Gray Davis has expressed reservations about signing new handgun restrictions until law enforcement can evaluate laws passed two years ago.

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June 8, 2001, 10:28 AM	#1
Drizzt Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2000 Location: Moscow on the Colorado, TX Posts: 2,560	Gun-Licensing Bill Passes California Senate Thursday, June 7, 2001 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California would license handgun owners and require them to prove they can safely handle firearms under a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday. "I'm not aware of any other state that requires a basic, hands-on demonstration [of gun proficiency] to own a handgun," said Eric Gorovitz, western policy director for the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "It's a simple, common-sense requirement. Once it's law in California, I think other states will quickly follow," Gorovitz said. Some other states require proficiency tests to carry a concealed weapon, but not to obtain a handgun. "This is a bill that will save lives, that will prevent injury," said the author, Sen. Jack Scott, D-Altadena. His 27-year-old son, Adam, was killed when what was supposed to be an unloaded gun discharged at a party in 1993. "This bill makes sure that criminals and minors are deterred from getting handguns." Gun buyers would have to supply a thumbprint for identification and pay a fee for background and proficiency tests under the measure. The bill, which was sent to the Assembly on a 25-15 vote, would take effect in 2003. A similar measure is pending in the Assembly. However, Gov. Gray Davis has expressed reservations about signing new handgun restrictions until law enforcement can evaluate laws passed two years ago.