SACRAMENTO, CA—Assemblymember and Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) has released the following statement regarding AB 1333, sponsored by Everytown for Gun Safety.
“Protecting public safety has always been my top priority. AB 1333 sought to close a dangerous legal loophole that could allow armed aggressors to initiate confrontations in public, kill their victims, and then exploit self-defense laws to escape accountability. The bill does not change the long-standing Castle Doctrine and was never intended to affect anyone’s ability to protect themselves, their family, or their home. As a father and as the victim of a home invasion myself, I understand how essential the right to self defense is.
“We have worked closely with law enforcement partners and gun safety organizations to strive for the right balance of protecting victims from armed vigilantes in public spaces while simultaneously safeguarding the right to self defense. Unfortunately, misleading information has fueled fear and confusion about the bill. I have decided to withdraw AB 1333 from further consideration, once it is referred to committee on Thursday and has been amended to clarify items that caused confusion.
“I remain committed to keeping our communities safe and will continue working with law enforcement, legal experts, and public and gun safety advocates to advance smart policies that protect victims and safeguard the right to self defense. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and gun safety groups for their unwavering dedication to public safety and their hard work on this effort.”
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
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Assemblyman Tom Lackey call the bill an assault on self-defense.
“This bill is a complete assault on self defense! Imagine this: A violent criminal breaks into your home, and YOU have to second-guess whether defending your family is “justifiable”. The misguided energy behind this proposal is beyond comprehension,” said Lackey.
Assemblymember David Tangipa, “AB 1333 makes it illegal to defend yourself in your own home. If you thought California Democrats couldn’t be more out of touch, here’s another example. Where do you retreat if you can’t defend yourself in your own home?”
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez labeled it as a “bad bill alert”
“BAD BILL ALERT AB 1333 would eliminate certain circumstances under which homicide is justifiable, including, among others, in defense of a habitation or property. The bill would additionally clarify circumstances in which homicide is not justifiable, including, among others, when a person uses more force than necessary to defend against a danger. Contact your local legislator and tell them you support our rights to protect ourselves,” said Sanchez.
Meanwhile, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) released the following statement in response to AB 1333 saying that the bill would make self-defense against criminals illegal in California:
“Sacramento Democrats have spent the last 15 years tying the hands of law enforcement and coddling criminals, using and abusing ordinary Californians in their attempt to make criminals the real victims. Now, they’re actively trying to tie the hands of our residents, who have had to defend themselves against re-released career criminals far too often.
“Prop 36 should have been a wake-up call – Californians are sick and tired of crime, and they are demanding that leaders in Sacramento do something about it. Unfortunately for us, Legislative Democrats can’t put aside their backwards ideology. It’s time for a change.”
He added, AB 1333 would place strict and unrealistic parameters on a crime victim’s ability to claim self defense, and will result in crime victims being charged for protecting themselves, their family and their property.
