California Gun Owners Have Reason to be Hopeful,, and Proud

by Brandon Combs

CalGuns Foundation
CalGuns Foundation

SACRAMENTO, CA –-(Ammoland.com)- Yesterday, the California Senate Public Safety Committee passed a number of extreme anti-gun measures, ranging from outright bans on guns and magazines, to ammunition seller and purchaser permits, to a “kick-the-can” bill granting municipalities the authority to ban gun shows on state property.

While the outcomes of those votes were as predictable as they are frustrating, California gun owners walked away with one significant victory: absolute solidarity among those on our side.

With that in mind, we want to thank the dozens of California gun owners who sacrificed time and treasure to attend the hearing and speak out against the bills. We must also thank everyone who sent messages, mailed letters, faxed comments, and phoned their representatives expressing the hundreds of reasons why these bills are wrong-headed and unconstitutional. Finally, we want to thank the people who valiantly and willingly, bill after bill and hour after hour, stood tall against the plainly one-sided committee, the bills’ authors, and the measures themselves.

They are:

  • Ed Worley, state legislative liaison for National Rifle Association;
  • Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California;
  • Tom Pederson, legislative liaison for California Rifle and Pistol Association; and,
  • Craig DeLuz, legislative advocate for California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees.

Gun rights organizations can, and all too often do, disagree on tactics to advance Second Amendment interests. There are certainly arguments to be made for and against every approach. However, this year, we simply cannot afford for our efforts to be diminished through distraction or to be anything less than unified.

The opportunity before us today is to put aside our differences and advance common ground. In our view, there can be no better place to start than the very substance of our shared philosophy: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

In 2013, California gun owners will face an unprecedented assault on their civil rights by opportunistic politicians and petulant power brokers. We are optimistic that the extraordinary cooperation and good faith shown by all parties yesterday — forged through necessity, and fueled by a shared commitment to advancing individual liberty — translates into not only an enduring coalition on matters of policy, but also in our litigation, grassroots actions, and everywhere.

 

Brandon Combs is the Executive Director of The Calguns Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves its members and the public by providing Second Amendment-related education, strategic litigation, and the defense of innocent California gun owners from improper or malicious prosecution. The Calguns Foundation seeks to inform government and protect the rights of individuals to acquire, own, and lawfully use firearms in California. Supporters may visit https://www.calgunsfoundation.org/donate to join or donate to CGF.

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Neon

So now what? We’re unified. So. Even if they only pass and sign half of the 35 anti-2A bills currently up for review, it will be the end of California gun rights. We’ll be left with BB guns, Oh no wait they outlawed those last year. So what do 50% of Californians who own firearms do? Sell our homes and move before we become an instant felons at the behest of the 2/3’s Democratically controlled Democratic Legislature? Because honestly what is left to do? The Progressive Democrats don’t give a damn what gun owners think of them. When that idiot… Read more »

Alex R

It seems to me that All of the gun lobbies in Kkkali don’t do anything. We donate, sign petitions, call senators and congress, and yet we still get screwed. It’s not even worth trying anymore.
Oh well, time to pack my bags and start looking for a pro gun state.

John

Cali gun owners bent over and took it when they imposed the stupid bullet-button law, that means that they will bend over and take any anti 2nd amendment law they get hit with…
Californian gun owners will be completely disarmed soon, you wont even be about to own a bolt action soon…

John

Just as I told my friends in Cali, there is NO hope for gun owners in that state. The communist out-number you… Get the hell out, before you become a felon…

Brandon Combs

Bill Baker: the bills passed out of a committee. They are not law. The fight is yet ahead… but you wouldn’t know that because you were too busy being clever to read the post and find the facts.

FreeMan

If any of these bills pass in CA I will be relocating my business out of state as Magpul and others in CO. I cannot provide tax money to a state that has the deletion of civil rights and increase in state power as its primary objective. Screw California!

Mark

Sorry for you guys stuck in the Socialist Republic of CA. I feel for those of you who wish to leave for a better and freer life and liberties in the “other” States of the Union. Good Luck!~

Matt

Having lived in California all my life (27 yrs), if you didn’t know that the legislators are unanimously against us than we have bigger problems, having the state you live in turn you into a criminal and rendering a large part of your financial investment and security useless overnight is a travesty beyond epic proportions. I will no longer be able to stay in this state if the legislation is upheld(most of my friends have already left, I just lack the resources to). I respect calguns and I donate but are you kidding me with this post. “Well guys we… Read more »

Bill Baker

Oh yeah, be proud, they took away all of your rights, but at least you won the moral victory of finding those who agree with you. If just we could all win like this and lose all gun rights in the process. >.<