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January 6th, 2010
 A new California law requiring that all new semi-auto handguns sold in California incorporate microstamping technology was to go into effect on January 1st, 2010. Many readers are concerned that this law will make it illegal to purchase new, self-loading handguns in California. However, because the law mandated technology which, thus far, has NOT been made available to pistol manufacturers, the law is NOT being applied for now. This was the case of misguided legislators passing a gun law requiring technology that didn’t really exist.
The NSSF reports: “Firearms microstamping, signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) in October 2007 and slated to take effect New Year’s Day (2010), is not in effect since the technology remains encumbered by patents.” Microstamping is the process by which firearms manufacturers must micro-laser-engrave a gun’s make, model and serial number on two distinct parts of each gun, including the firing pin, so that, in theory, this data is imprinted on the cartridge casing when the pistol is fired. By its terms, the microstamping law required that the technology be “patent-free” (as determined by the California Department of Justice) before the law could go into effect.
 The one company which has pioneered micro-stamping technology for pistols has NOT released its patents. Hence, by its own terms, California’s micro-stamping law is “dead on arrival”. However, last month the California Department of Justice nonetheless proposed new microstamping regulations, a move that was questioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms industry.
“In the midst of California’s budget crisis and despite the possibility this law may never go into effect — as the technology remains encumbered by patents — one has to question the decision by the California Department of Justice to spend its time and limited resources on drafting regulations for the flawed technology,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.
Opposition to microstamping has intensified as manufacturers have indicated the new law would force them to raise prices of guns significantly. Estimates of price increases go as high as $200 per firearm, as the unreliable technology would require a complete reconfiguring of the manufacturing and assembly processes.
CLICK HERE for more information on Firearms Microstamping.
November 10th, 2009
 It was “Ladies First” at the California State Long-Range Championship held this weekend at the Coalinga Range in central California. Palma ace Noma Mayo topped a field of 26 shooters (24 men and 2 women) to take the CA title with an impressive 787-34X score.
The diminutive senior lady shooter had the men saying “Noma, ‘No Mas'” by the end of the 3-day event. Using the latest (#2156) Sierra 155gr Palma bullets, Noma steered her .308 Win, iron-sighted Palma rifle to victory, displaying great consistency and superior wind-reading skills. Finishing second overall was Michael Dunio (782-29X), while Noma’s husband Marty Mayo took third with a 779-16X score. Marty teamed with Noma to win the two-person Team match on Saturday, with a combined 385-7X.
Shooting his trusty 6BRX, Peter White took the F-Class title with a strong 785-36X score. Taking second was our friend and Forum member Gary Wood, who shot a 778-28X with the 6.5-284 featured recently in the Daily Bulletin. Gary Childs placed third in F-Class (769-25X), shooting a straight .284 Win with a handsome stock he crafted himself. When comparing these scores to the iron sight shooters, keep in mind the F-Classers shot a target with much smaller ‘X’ and scoring rings. We want to give special thanks to Gary Wood, whose generous donation to AccurateShooter.com made it possible for this Editor and assistant Mark LaFevers to cover the event.
There were some beautiful long-range rigs at the match, including many Gary Eliseo tubeguns. (Gary competed at the event, and shot well on Friday and Saturday, but fell victim to shifty winds on the final day.) In addition to the high-tech tubeguns, many handsome wood-stocked Palma rifles were used, including a Bastogne-walnut-stocked beauty built and shot by gunsmith Tom Luhmann of TLC Gunworks in Clovis, CA.
An interesting “California-legal” AR Platform rifle caught Mark’s eye. It sported a handsome matte camo finish, but the chambering was the most noteworthy feature. This rifle was chambered as a 6mm Dasher, an improved 6mmBR with a shorter neck and 40° shoulder. Most of the AR match rifles we’ve seen have gone to a Grendel-based case, if they step up past the .223 Remington. The 6BR parent case uses a .308-sized bolt-face, whereas the Grendel case rim is smaller. Also, with its steep shoulder angle, the Dasher can prove challenging to feed. However, the gun’s builder Marcus Naslund said they had achieved good feeding and function by opening up the gas port and adapting a custom single-stack magazine, made from aluminum billet. Despite California’s Draconian gun laws, this rifle is legal for sale in the Golden state because a “tool” (which can be a bullet tip) is required to remove the otherwise “non-detachable” magazine.
September 29th, 2009
 We reported recently that the California Legislature passed AB 962. This bill would require anyone buying pistol ammo to provide drivers’ license #, address, and a thumbprint. And, because AB 962 requires all pistol ammo sales to be “face to face”, the law would effectively ban mail-order ammo sales in California. While AB 962 targets pistol ammo sales, it could also apply to any type of rifle ammo that has been used in pistols (including single-shots). That would include 22LR, 22 rimfire magnum, .223 Rem, 6BR, 30-30, .308 Winchester, and more.
Opposition Efforts Gain Strength
Right now, unless CA Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes AB 962 before October 11, 2009, the bill will become law, effective February 1, 2011. Californians need your help convincing Gov. Schwarzenegger to veto AB 962. The good news is that many sportsmen and shooters, both inside and outside California, have already contacted the Governor. But opponents of AB 962 need to do more. The NSSF reports:
“With great support from Cabela’s and major distributors throughout the country, grassroots efforts to combat three anti-gun bills in California have been so strong that the Governor’s Office has had to open up another fax line (916-445-4633) to handle demands that he veto the anti-gun legislation. NSSF is encouraging all manufacturers, retailers and distributors, along with all sportsmen, gun owners and firearms enthusiasts, to continue calling, writing and faxing Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office urging him to veto AB 962 (ammunition registration).”
AB 962 May Affect Ammo Prices Outside California
Why should non-Californians care about this legislation? First, remember that over 10% of the nation’s population resides in California. If the CA market is effectively closed off to major mail-order ammo vendors, their volume will decrease significantly, and that could result in price hikes in other markets. Second, this law sets a terrible precedent. If California can effectively require registration of all persons who purchase ammo, you know that full gun registration will be the next step.
Accordingly, we request that all our readers take a few seconds to communicate with Gov. Schwarzenegger and ask him to veto AB 962. This is easy to do. You can quickly voice your opinion by calling, e-mailing, or faxing the Governor (fax line is 916-445-4633).
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Telephone the Governor and Ask Him to Veto AB 962:
Step 1: Call 916-445-2841
Step 2: Press 1 for English
Step 3: Press 2 for commenting on a bill on the Governor’s desk
Step 4: Press 2 for AB 962
Step 5: Press 2 for Oppose |
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Email the Governor and Ask Him to Veto AB 962:
Step 1: Go to www.Gov.Ca.Gov/interact
Step 2: Fill in name and email address
Step 3: Select “GUN CONTROL” from pull-down menu
Step 4: Click “SUBMIT” (No, you’re not done yet!!)
A new page will open…
Step 5: Type in your message. It can be as simple as: “Please VETO AB 962. This bill will cost California in lost tax revenues. It also violates the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Step 6: Click SEND |
September 15th, 2009
 AB 962, a new law restricting ammo sales, was passed by the California Legislature last Friday and sent to Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk. If not vetoed by the Governor, this bill could have a major negative effect on the shooting sports in the Golden State. AB 962, authored by Assemblyman De León (Dem. Los Angeles) was narrowly passed on a strict party line vote, on the last day of the Legislative session.
CLICK HERE for Final, Amended Text of AB 962
New Law Targets Pistol Ammo But Would Also Embrace Rifle Ammunition
AB 962 will restrict the sales of pistol ammunition. Unfortunately, the restriction will include common rifle ammo such as .22LR, .22 Magnum, and .223 Rem, because these cartridges are also used in pistols. If codified into law, commencing February 1, 2011, AB 962 would require handgun ammunition vendors to obtain a complete profile on ammo-purchasers including: residential address, phone number, Driver’s License number, birth date, and signature. In addition, ammo buyers must provide a thumbprint when purchasing pistol ammunition. A violation of these provisions would be a misdemeanor.
 In addition, AB 962 could effectively prohibit online or mail-order sales of pistol ammunition to California residents. This is because, according to the Leg. Counsel’s Digest, “delivery or transfer of ownership of handgun ammunition may only occur in a face-to-face transaction, with the deliverer or transferor being provided bona fide evidence of identity of the purchaser or other transferee. A violation of these provisions would be a misdemeanor.”
The good news is that AB 962 was amended to eliminate the provision that would criminalize the “sale or transfer” or more than 50 rounds of pistol ammunition per month. Had that clause survived, it would have a chilling effect on all youth training programs because rangemasters, scout leaders, or shooting coaches could be jailed for handing out more than one box of rimfire ammo.
Nonetheless, AB 962 is a terrible piece of legislation. Unless Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes AB 962, Californians will no longer be able to mail-order most rimfire ammo, all centerfire pistol ammo, and a potentially large selection of rifle ammunition. We can’t tell you exactly what kinds of rifle ammo would be embraced by AB 962, because the bill relies on the vague definitions of CA Penal Code Section 12323(a): “‘Handgun ammunition’ means ammunition principally for use in pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person… notwithstanding that the ammunition may also be used in some rifles.”
The California Rifle and Pistol Assn. (CRPA) is asking ALL California gun owners to contact Gov. Schwarzenegger immediately and urge him to VETO AB 962. You can send an email via the Governor’s home page at www.gov.ca.gov/interact. (Type your name and email address, select Gun Control under the “Choose Your Subject” menu, hit “Submit” — then write your message.) You can also call or send a fax to the Governor’s office (Phone (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160). Gov. Schwarzenegger has until October 11, 2009 to sign, approve without signing, or veto bills passed by the Legislature.
April 1st, 2009
 Air rifles and air pistols are not considered “firearms” under federal law. Therefore, in all 50 states, air rifles and air pistols can be purchased “over the counter”, without background checks. The lack of controls on pneumatic guns has long troubled many California lawmakers who have “taken aim” at the airgun industry with tough new legislation. This year, California extends its sweeping gun-control policies to air rifles and pistols under the terms of new legislation, AB 1984, recently codified into law. Under this bill, air rifle and pistol owners will be required to pay an “Air Excise Tax” on all canister refills and CO2 propellants. In addition, all refills must be done by state-licensed air refill centers operated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). In order to qualify for refills (and purchase propellant cartridges), air rifle and pistol owners must first obtain a state-endorsed “Air User Certificate”, which will cost $95.00, renewable annually. These new regulations take effect June 1, 2009.
New Law Carries Stiff Penalties, Yet Fear of Air “Black Market” Persists
Recognizing that air is an abundant and otherwise free resource, the new law contains tough provisions to prevent air rifle and pistol owners from filling their air canisters from non-approved sources. Any air rifle/pistol owner caught refilling canisters from a private pump or compressor will be subject to a $10,000 fine for the first offense, with criminal penalties (up to 5 years in prison) for repeat offenders. This may, initially, cause some practical problems. Currently, CARB has no certified filling stations for airguns, and given California’s current budgetary crisis, it may be many months before the first filling stations come on-line. In the mean-time, using $8.3 million in Federal Stimulus funding, CARB will hire 65 “Air Security & Surveillance Officers” (ASSOs) to find scoff-laws who continue to fill their airguns with unregistered air. Some observers worry that one unfortunate side-effect of AB 1984 could be the creation of a criminalized “black market” for air in the Golden State.
 Democratic legislators praised the new regulations. An official statement by the Assembly Democratic Caucus declared: “This is a great day for all Californians. Air rifles can be just as dangerous as powder-fired weapons. These air rifles are silent killers and even when used for target sports they can put your eye out.” California Governor Schwarzenegger did not issue a formal statement about the new Air Excise Tax. However an aide to the Governor, who declined to be named, remarked: “Look, this state is $40 billion in the red. Any new revenue source is welcome.” Off the record, he added: “We tax gasoline, we tax real estate, we tax health care, we tax income, we tax all the products you buy in stores, and we even tax you when you die. Why not tax air? It’s brilliant. Heck, if we could tax sunshine, we would”.
The California State Employees Union also expressed support for the new legislation, noting that it would create up to 200 new, permanent high-paying jobs. Sacramento has an abundance of workers skilled in the dispensing of hot air, so CARB believes it can quickly fill the new positions mandated by AB 1984. The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (CLAO), tasked with estimating the costs of new legislation, has predicted that Air Excise Tax revenues should “more than cover the hardware costs of air filling stations.” However, the CLAO cautioned that “attendant administrative and enforcement costs, including salaries, entitlements, and mandatory pensions, could run into the tens of millions of dollars annually.” Asked to comment on those projected costs, AB 1984’s author, Assemblywoman Juanita Wilson (D. Berkeley), observed: “Let’s worry about that later. This is about Hope and about Change…we’re doing this for the children. Plus California needs jobs, and my ground-breaking legislation will put hundreds of Californians back to work.”
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