California to consider major new firearms law

**Aguila Blanca** · June 23, 2020, 06:34 PM

I just received an e-mail blast from the NSSF. It seems that California is poised to ram through another new, anti-gun law. You can read the NSSF alert here:

https://www2.nssf.org/webmail/127421...b889d5285b57cf

The NSSF summary points out the following problems with the bill:

Quote:

What is truly sinister about this entire situation is the process. The legislature will hear and likely vote on an amended bill with brand new language unavailable to the public until late yesterday. Keeping the public in the dark until the last possible minute is truly undemocratic.

The amended bill will be considered in the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee even though it has major policy provisions. Traditionally a bill of this magnitude would go to a policy committee such as the Senate Public Safety Committee, affording the public and experts to testify, support, or oppose. Given that testimony in the Budget Committee is limited to the fiscal aspects of the bill, there’s a good chance the public may not be afforded the opportunity to have their voices heard at all.

krunchnik · June 23, 2020, 07:21 PM

California is into an all out attack on the gun industry-seems some of these new firearm owners need to get active like the rest of us have been for awhile.

**44 AMP** · June 24, 2020, 03:28 AM

What is a "Firearm precursor part"???

Do they mean the nebulous 80% finished receivers? Can't be finished serial numbered frames those are already "firearms" for legal/sales purposes.
Do they mean the "printed" parts that are the current bug-a-boo?
Do they mean ANY gun part???

I'm sure the state has a compelling reason for compiling data on who buys...oh lets say GRIP SCREWS???

And only allowing sales through a specially licensed dealer...

it boggles the mind....

**Aguila Blanca** · June 24, 2020, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44_AMP

What is a "Firearm precursor part"???

I wondered the same thing. As I understand what the summary of this new law says, the new law doesn't create a class of thingies called "firearms precursor parts," it instantly turns registered gun dealers into registered sellers of firearms precursor parts. So the thingies must already exist somewhere in California law. I was hoping the perhaps Frank Ettin would know what they are, and enlighten us.

My guess was the same as yours -- 80% receivers, a.k.a. "ghost guns."

tank1949 · June 24, 2020, 03:05 PM

Looks like that CA prefers to protect the rioters and looters before the citizens start protecting their own property. It's coming...be prepared!

**Aguila Blanca** · June 24, 2020, 03:34 PM

I found the text of the bill. Here's the link, and the definition of "firearm precursor part":

http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/fa...01720180AB2382

Quote:

SEC. 2. Section 16531 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

16531. (a) As used in this part, commencing July 1, 2023, “firearm precursor part” means a component of a firearm that is generally necessary to build or assemble a firearm and is included in one of the following categories:

(1) A firearm barrel.

(2) An ammunition feeding device, including, but not limited to, a magazine or speed loader.

(3) An unfinished receiver, including both a single part receiver and a multiple part receiver, such as a receiver in an AR-10- or AR-15-style firearm. An unfinished receiver includes a receiver tube, a molded or shaped polymer frame or receiver, a metallic casting, a metallic forging, and a receiver flat, such as a Kalashnikov-style weapons system, Kalashnikov-style receiver channel, or a Browning-style receiver side plate.

(4) A finished upper receiver for a multiple part receiver system such as an AR-10- and AR-15-style firearm.

(5) An unfinished handgun frame.

(6) A finished slide to be used to enclose a handgun barrel.

(7) A trigger pack or fire control group for a Heckler and Koch- or FN FAL-style firearm.

(b) The Department of Justice, consistent with this section, shall provide written guidance and pictorial diagrams demonstrating each category of firearm precursor part specified in subdivision (a).

(c) Firearm parts that can only be used on antique firearms, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 16170, are not firearm precursor parts.

SEC. 3. Section 16532 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

16532. (a) As used in this part, commencing July 1, 2023, “firearm precursor part vendor” means a person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise that holds a current firearm precursor part vendor license issued pursuant to Section 30485.

(b) Commencing January 1, 2023, a firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, and a licensed ammunition vendor shall automatically be deemed a licensed firearm precursor part vendor, if the dealer and licensed ammunition vendor comply with the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 30300) and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30342) of Chapter 1 of Division 10 of Title 4.

Based on this, it appears that in California (if this passes) you will only be allowed to buy things like speedloaders from licensed dealers. Of course, they don't define "speedloader," so is this law going to include stripper clips as "firearm precursor parts"?

What is an "unfinished handgun frame"? At least one current 1911 maker (Cabot Guns) makes their receivers and slides from steel ingots, not from forgings or investment castings. Any decent machinist with access to a lathe and a milling machine can do the same. Are steel ingots going to be allowed to be sold only by FFLs?

TXAZ · June 24, 2020, 06:45 PM

Between their (actual) growing state debt, spiraling living expenses and laws that favor the lawless, all I can say is:
'Would the last person out of California please turn out the lights?'

(paraphrasing a 70's billboard from Seattle)

**44 AMP** · June 25, 2020, 02:56 PM

It appears that the proposed law would end direct to purchaser (mail order) sale of nearly all firearm parts other than some pins, screws and possibly some springs.

Why do I have visions of some guy winding up in court because he bought 8 feet of 1" "receiver tube" with (gasp!) threaded ends!

from a hardware store....

got a 3lb chuck of steel?? OMG, that's just a pistol or an assault weapon waiting to happen!!!

If it weren't for the possible tragic consequences, it would be amusing….

**Aguila Blanca** · June 25, 2020, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44_AMP

It appears that the proposed law would end direct to purchaser (mail order) sale of nearly all firearm parts other than some pins, screws and possibly some springs.

Why do I have visions of some guy winding up in court because he bought 8 feet of 1" "receiver tube" with (gasp!) threaded ends! from a hardware store....

got a 3lb chuck of steel?? OMG, that's just a pistol or an assault weapon waiting to happen!!!

If it weren't for the possible tragic consequences, it would be amusing….

What's even worse, this is the type of legislation, with the type of people proposing it, that if you try to point out the obvious (to us) problems with it, they'll only use your comments to find ways to make it worse.

"Springs? There are springs in guns? We didn't include springs? We'll fix that right away quick."

SHR970 · June 25, 2020, 08:49 PM

I seriously disagree: worse is even though the stores have no stock due to runs and Ca. D.O.J. is slow walking approvals, the people here will quickly forget the lessons just like after the Rodney King Riots. The stores have no ammo, the stores have no guns, mail order ammo comes with an FFL reciever requirement AND background check that fails 1 out of 6 times incorrectly. No Mags over 10 rounds and soon even those will have to go through a FFL and background check. Repair parts???? you want repair parts????? BWAHAHAHAHAHA

rc · June 26, 2020, 07:40 PM

When you make it so hard for legal citizens to follow the law, all you have left are criminals.

Bartholomew Roberts · June 28, 2020, 07:30 AM

1. Make legal gun ownership burdensome enough that gun owners who can speak out become too small in numbers to protect their rights.

2. Scapegoat gun owners by attacking them with new ridiculous laws every time your dramatic failure in some other area becomes apparent to all, preferably in a way that serves goal 1.

Doesn’t it amaze you how all these models of gun laws that Moms Demanding Action seek are always adding more and more gun laws?

Quote:

Between their (actual) growing state debt, spiraling living expenses and laws that favor the lawless, all I can say is:
'Would the last person out of California please turn out the lights?'

Wait until they start trying to figure out how they are going to plug the budget hole caused by the taxes lost during the coronavirus shutdown. Even in states like Texas, cities and counties are talking about taxing any conceivable economic activity that hasn’t been killed by previous taxes. I can only imagine how that is going to play out in California.

**44 AMP** · June 28, 2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Wait until they start trying to figure out how they are going to plug the budget hole caused by the taxes lost during the coronavirus shutdown. Even in states like Texas, cities and counties are talking about taxing any conceivable economic activity that hasn’t been killed by previous taxes. I can only imagine how that is going to play out in California.

Seems to me that if they continue to pretend the budget is Holy Writ, and cannot be touched, things won't work out well.

Ordinary folks, adjust their spending down when their income drops. Govt seems incapable of that, (other than lip service, if that) and their response to a drop in income is to raise more money by increasing taxes and fees.

Bartholomew Roberts · June 28, 2020, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Seems to me that if they continue to pretend the budget is Holy Writ, and cannot be touched, things won't work out well.

Same problem from the politician point of view, cut services drastically but keep taxes the same or keep services the same and increase taxes drastically.

SHR970 · June 28, 2020, 03:58 PM

We already pay $1.38 in direct gas taxes ($.47 in "fix the road" taxes which go to the general fund not the roads) + 2.5% sales tax over and above the regular sales tax. 9.75% sales tax in L.A. county. I'm in the 9.3% Income tax bracket. MediCal taxes & the one that they REALLY want to change is PROPERTY taxes.

Due to Prop. 13 they can only raise your property taxes 1.5% a year based on the sale price and you can lock @ 20 years. They desperately want to abolish this so they can raise taxes along with you property value. Any property that was owned when Prop.13 was passed were locked and if inherited by a family member that lock was inherited too.

But to get rid of guns, they have instituted background checks on ammo. Incorrect denial rate right now is ~ 16% and you get NO refunds on your background check costs. No doubt they will add an additional tax on guns & ammo at some point in the future.

June 23, 2020, 07:21 PM	#2
krunchnik Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2010 Location: Lakeland,TN Posts: 220	California is into an all out attack on the gun industry-seems some of these new firearm owners need to get active like the rest of us have been for awhile. __________________ THE CROW

June 24, 2020, 03:28 AM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	What is a "Firearm precursor part"??? Do they mean the nebulous 80% finished receivers? Can't be finished serial numbered frames those are already "firearms" for legal/sales purposes. Do they mean the "printed" parts that are the current bug-a-boo? Do they mean ANY gun part??? I'm sure the state has a compelling reason for compiling data on who buys...oh lets say GRIP SCREWS??? And only allowing sales through a specially licensed dealer... it boggles the mind.... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 24, 2020, 06:45 PM	#7
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	Between their (actual) growing state debt, spiraling living expenses and laws that favor the lawless, all I can say is: 'Would the last person out of California please turn out the lights?' (paraphrasing a 70's billboard from Seattle) __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

June 25, 2020, 02:56 PM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	It appears that the proposed law would end direct to purchaser (mail order) sale of nearly all firearm parts other than some pins, screws and possibly some springs. Why do I have visions of some guy winding up in court because he bought 8 feet of 1" "receiver tube" with (gasp!) threaded ends! from a hardware store.... got a 3lb chuck of steel?? OMG, that's just a pistol or an assault weapon waiting to happen!!! If it weren't for the possible tragic consequences, it would be amusing…. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 24, 2020, 03:05 PM	#5
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	Looks like that CA prefers to protect the rioters and looters before the citizens start protecting their own property. It's coming...be prepared!

June 25, 2020, 08:49 PM	#10
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	I seriously disagree: worse is even though the stores have no stock due to runs and Ca. D.O.J. is slow walking approvals, the people here will quickly forget the lessons just like after the Rodney King Riots. The stores have no ammo, the stores have no guns, mail order ammo comes with an FFL reciever requirement AND background check that fails 1 out of 6 times incorrectly. No Mags over 10 rounds and soon even those will have to go through a FFL and background check. Repair parts???? you want repair parts????? BWAHAHAHAHAHA

June 26, 2020, 07:40 PM	#11
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,765	When you make it so hard for legal citizens to follow the law, all you have left are criminals.

June 28, 2020, 03:58 PM	#15
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	We already pay $1.38 in direct gas taxes ($.47 in "fix the road" taxes which go to the general fund not the roads) + 2.5% sales tax over and above the regular sales tax. 9.75% sales tax in L.A. county. I'm in the 9.3% Income tax bracket. MediCal taxes & the one that they REALLY want to change is PROPERTY taxes. Due to Prop. 13 they can only raise your property taxes 1.5% a year based on the sale price and you can lock @ 20 years. They desperately want to abolish this so they can raise taxes along with you property value. Any property that was owned when Prop.13 was passed were locked and if inherited by a family member that lock was inherited too. But to get rid of guns, they have instituted background checks on ammo. Incorrect denial rate right now is ~ 16% and you get NO refunds on your background check costs. No doubt they will add an additional tax on guns & ammo at some point in the future.