Newsgroups: fidonet.guns
From: John Erland <[John Erland] at [p12.f8055.n203.z1.fidonet.org]>
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 19:20:00 -0800
Subject: CA ALERT:

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* Forwarded by John Erland (1:203/8055.12)
* From : [n--b--t] at [community.net], 1:203/2 (15 Feb 96 13:40)
* Subj : CA ALERT: Anti-gun forces on the move against AB-638!
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NEWS RELEASE

ASSEMBLYMEMBER LOUIS CALDERA

California Legislature - 46th Assembly District - Los Angeles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Contact: DAN REEVES
FEBRUARY 14, 1996         916-445-4843

ASSEMBLYMEMBER LOUIS CALDERA AND LOS ANGELES LAW ENFORCEMENT KICK OFF 
STATEWIDE EFFORT TO DEFEAT CONCEALED WEAPONS LEGISLATION

  (Los Angeles -CA)  Opponents of legislation that would allow 
virtually all adults in California to carry loaded, concealed firearms in 
public gathered this morning at the Los Angeles Police Department 
Headquarters to announce statewide efforts to defeat the legislation.  
Those in attendance included Assemblymember Louis Caldera (D-Los 
Angeles), Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, Los Angeles 
Police Chief Willie Williams, City Councilman Mike Feuer, Sandy Cooney of 
Handgun Control, Inc., and representatives from Women Against Gun 
Violence, Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angelels, 
Coalition for a Non-Violent City, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

  Opponents to AB 638 (Knight, R-Lancaster) argued that the bill 
would seriously jeopardize public safety in California.  Assemblymember 
Caldera (D-Los Angeles) pointed out that the legislation would allow 
persons with long criminal records, including persons arrested and 
charged with violent felonies, but who have no serious criminal 
convictions, to be issued concealed weapons permits.  Caldera also noted 
that the bill would allow persons with severe mental illnesses, including 
persons who have been institutionalized, to receive permits to carry 
loaded, concealed firearms.

  The bill also eliminates the right of local police chiefs and 
sheriffs to place "reasonable restrictions or conditions" on the 
concealed weapons permits.  The repeal of current law would prohibit 
local jurisdictions from excluding firearms from public buildings and 
parks.  "Worse yet," said Caldera, "the bill doesnt even authorize 
private property owners, such as businesses, retailers, and shopping 
malls, to prohibit the carrying of loaded, concealed firearms on their 
property.

  "It wasnt long ago, in the wake of freeway shooting sprees, that 
we were attempting to increase penalties for illegally carrying firearms 
in public," Caldera said.  "Encouraging more people to carry guns in 
public will only result in more shootings, deaths, and injuries."

  Since 1917, local law enforcement has been responsible for the 
issuance of concealed weapons permits only to individuals who can truly 
demonstrate "good cause" for needing a permit to carry a loaded firearm 
in public.  "Yet, today in Sacramento, the gun lobby is attempting to 
overturn that longstanding public policy.  If having citizens carry 
loaded guns in public would increase their personal safety, then we 
should start arming Californias children who are increasingly more at 
risk of becoming victims of gun violence than adults, " noted Caldera.

  On January 31st, AB 638 passed the state Assembly by a vote of 
42-33.  The bill has been sent to the Senate and will likely be reviewed 
by the Senate Criminal Procedure Committee early this spring.  AB 638 is 
sponsored by the National Rifle Association, and is supported by the 
California Gun Owners Association, and the California Rifle and Pistol 
Association.  The bill is opposed by, among others, the California 
Sheriffs Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the 
California Deputy District Attorneys Association, Attorney General Dan 
Lundgren, and the California Medical Association.