Sacramento, CA – SB 1160, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) passed the Senate Public Safety Committee. The measure aims to increase public safety by holding accountable individuals who illegally carry unregistered handguns in California.
SB 1160 expands on AB 144, a bill Senator Portantino authored in 2011 in the State Assembly.
“SB 1160 imposes higher penalties for those who illegally carry unregistered handguns and engage in criminal acts. It is consistent with current legislation enhancing registration requirements and compliance,” stated Senator Portantino. “This is another important step towards responsible gun ownership and increasing accountability.”
Under current California law, there is no explicit requirement that the possessor of a handgun must be listed with the Department of Justice as the owner of that handgun. Several decades of case law have demonstrated a history and support of documentation for owning a firearm through a ministerial registration system.
District of Columbia v. Heller upheld ministerial registration systems in several cases and Justice v. Town of Cicero further found registration “merely regulated gun possession” rather than prohibiting it.
SB 1160 would extend the increased punishment for openly carrying a handgun to also apply if an individual in immediate possession of a handgun is not the same individual listed with the Department of Justice as the owner of the handgun. The bill would apply a similar system to handguns in conduct-based offenses where an individual is found to be carrying a handgun illegally.
Senator Portantino has long been a champion of common-sense gun reform policies. During his time in the Assembly, he successfully authorized local governments to prohibit the open carry of handguns and rifles in certain areas and as Senator, he raised the firearm purchase age in California to twenty-one. The Senator has authored legislation related to firearms storage and gun purchase safeguards, as well as a legislation that reduces the number of firearms an unlicensed individual is annually able to sell and the frequency with which they are able to sell. Most recently, he authored legislation aimed at preventing tragic school shootings and a major gun reform measure that offers a new tool to combat the rise in gun violence and save lives – a private right of action. Last year, he partnered with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta to enact SB 2, which implements significant improvements to strengthen California’s existing concealed-carry weapon (CCW) laws.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
Previous stories:
- March 11, 2024 – California DOJ Releases 2023 Armed and Prohibited Persons System Program Annual Report
- Feb 15, 2024 – AG Announces Seizure of Hundreds of Weapons in Richmond
- Sept. 26, 2023 – Governor Newsom Strengthens California’s Nation-Leading Gun Safety Laws
9 comments
“The measure aims to increase public safety by holding accountable individuals who illegally carry unregistered handguns in California” now all you little Cali snowflakes can sleep better at night.
This bill, if it becomes law, is totally going to make people think twice before they illegally carry an unregistered handgun. I think it’s a great idea.
Law only exists if you believe in it
Another method that anti gun politicians can use toward disarming otherwise law abiding citizens as well as catering to California’s proposed annual registration fees on all guns held by individuals in the state. This will make criminals out of multitudes of normally law abiding gun owners. Plus, if (when) they (anti gun politicians and liberals) decide to confiscate all weapons held by persons other than law enforcement personnel, they will know where they are!
Well Said. TRUMP FOR 2024!!
“WE THE PEOPLE RESERVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.”
Seems this law can punish a spouse for carrying the other spouses gun. Would also hinder poorer individuals that have one gun for safety and thus require them to buy a second gun. Seems it targets substantive family member that are all law abiding. This law seems to be implement the shiny Penney syndrome make you think it will effect crime levels when it will have none
If you are already carrying a weapon in California without a CCW permit, this law and these types of laws are highly unlikely to have any effect at all. The reason is that criminals who are already illegally carrying weapons don’t care about breaking another law. If they were concerned about breaking the law, then they wouldn’t be criminals to start with.
Well said man. There’s several legit statements made but I like your perspective.