True Story: CA Just Banned Semi-Auto Handguns*

[Sven]

*unless said handguns are on a special magic list (already for sale in CA) or have two features: a loaded chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect mechanism

SB 489
Semi-Auto Handgun Bill - would require that all semiautomatic handguns manufactured after January 2005 that are imported and sold in California be equipped with a loaded chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect mechanism.
Scott

9/24/2003 2:30 PM
SB489 was signed by the governor, against the opposition of law enforcement agencies across California.

 

[Thumper]

This is going to be REALLY interesting.

 

[Moparmike]

Ooooh, this is really getting interesting. I keep wondering when the people with intelligence and common sense will leave or overthrow that place. Sign me up if you need help, oh oppressed PRK residents.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Keep in mind, change magazine disconnects to integral locking devices and that law has been on the books here in MD since 2003.

See, us right-coasters can keep right up with California when it comes to totalitarianism!

- Chris

 

[Frohickey]

I bet that law enforcement and government employees are exempt from the provisions of this law

 

[Phyphor]

****.

I so have to get the out of this state.

 

[RKCheung]

Any way McClintock or Arnold can repeal this thing if they get into the governor's seat?

 

[Telperion]

I wrote, I called, I screamed, but to no avail. The only thing left to do is buy, if I could get over my resentment of the brain-damaged HSC.

RKCheung: The governor can't repeal anything alone -- it's the legislature that makes the laws.

Frohickey: Police are exempt from this law, but as Jim March pointed out there's a huge liability issue if police continue to carry weapons that are defined as "unsafe" by the law. They'll likely have to replace their sidearms at the taxpayers' cost.

 

[Bruce H]

California doesn't need a recall election. California needs an election to fill the offices of all the polititions who suddenly assumed room temprature.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I miss the People's Republic of California about 1% as much as a migraine head ache.

 

[Kendra Pacelli]

enough said

 

[Sven]

I'd say about 98% of semi-automatic gun owners in California are completely unaware that this law has passed. Truly sad. They'll find out in 05 or 06.

The erosion of liberty is slow and gradual, one thing at a time they are marching backward here in CA and elsewhere in our Nation:

-Assault Weapons (CA has its OWN ban)
-High-Capacity Magazines (not since 2000 can you buy or import)

Adding "Fisher Price" features and political correctness to a weapon in hopes it will stop people from killing themselves is the next step - Darwin just did flips in his grave.

I feel at times so completely powerless here, surrounded by thousands of citizens who either do not care or applaud this legislation! My only option is to call my legislators' assistants and leave a note, and vote periodically.

Who hold our LAWMAKERS accountable?

There is no accountabilty for:

a) the cost of putting this change in place
b) developing ways to measuring the efficacy of such legislation once in place
c) REMOVING laws that don't work!

I look in American Rifleman and get angry at times because all I see are positive articles about victories, printed on glossy paper. That's great, and I appreciate the work the group I support is doing, but I am paying the NRA money to directly fight the war and enlist my service, not give a slice of history.

Fortunately, the CAL-ERT fills my need for immediate notification:

http://www.nramemberscouncils.com/calerts-signup

I also like the "Firing Line" newsletter put out by the California Rifle and Pistol Association. It's printed cheaply and is up to date with action on the frontlines.

http://www.CRPA.org

 

[hops]

Based on a recent experience, these loaded chamber indicators are useless and add no value.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but...., care to elaborate, Hops?

 

[jimpeel]

This law is a direct violation of the Commerce Clause which is reserved to the Congress. It is also a restraint of trade pursuant to the Anti-trust laws.

Anyone here think ANY of the mfgrs will sue? Don't hold your breath unless you look maaaahvelous in blue.

 

[Sven]

The manufacturers need to band together and fund a major case, but how do we UN-MAKE a law?

What is the process?

 

[Don Galt]

If the manufacturers actually cared about the RKBA, they would refuse to sell to police agencies in states that banned their guns.

 

[0007]

Right on, Dan.
I keep hoping/wishing that the cigarette manufacturers would do the same. Just one with the cojones to tell New York or Calif. that "Ok, we're not going to be sending anymore of our cigarettes to your state. AND by the way we won't be paying any taxes on the ones that are smuggled in"... Can you say "prohibition"?

:banghead: :

 

[Pendragon]

They are smart when they pass these laws. They hardly ever ban posession of the old guns - they just slowly choke off access to the new stuff.

Those who care stock up, but they are taking the long view on this.

This bill alone is at least 10% of the reason I moved out.

No 1911s, no Glocks - wow.

I think the BHP would still be legal - the .40 cal versions have a notch that shows if the chamber is loaded.

I agree with Tom McClintock - California is a total paradise as far as the land and climate go - only Government is powerful enough to ruin it and drive people out of such a cool place.

 

[keederdag]

I second the frustration with the gun industry. They come on all pro RTKBA then continue to sell to their worst enemy's. LAPD issues beretta 92's right? No mag disconect. But I see some guy from Beretta in the RIFELMAN every other month standin next to some NRA biggy. And while were at it, how about Kimber and the LAPD SWAT adds. The LAPD is the most notoriously anti-gun pd on the West coast. So Friggen cut em off allready, the gun industry needs to stop pimp'en themselves out to the org's that are trying to put them out of buisiness.

 

[spacemanspiff]

the loaded chamber indicators on my steyr m pistols sometimes get gunked up and will protude without a round in the pipe. maybe they should put a flashing red light on the rear of the slide to indicate its loaded.

 

[keederdag]

Yea and one on the Bore so's they can tell which end is Dangerouse!

 

[moa]

Browning 9MM P35 High Power has the magazine disconnect. Pistol was introduced in 1935 and about the only serious complaint I have heard about it is that the magazine disconnect itself is dangerous because you cannot fire a round in an emergency when the magazine is removed.

P35 has been adopted by about 80 nations armed forces and God knows how many LE agencies since 1935.

 

[10-Ring]

GREAT! :banghead: It's like Davis is doing this stuff out of spite

 

[Werewolf]

Don Galt Said:

If the manufacturers actually cared about the RKBA, they would refuse to sell to police agencies in states that banned their guns.

That'll happen when hell freezes over and pigs fly.

Considering that 40 Million people live in California - even with their restrictive gun control laws - it is unlikely that any Gun Manufacturer would give up that big a slice of it's business. It's cheaper just to add the required features.

Springfield Armory already puts the loaded chamber indicator on most of it's new stuff and a magazine disconnect isn't that big of a deal.

You're talking reducing the bottom line for a company to boycott the California market and that just isn't gonna happen.

Wouldn't work any way - example - how many of you have purchased a S&W firearm lately?